Method for manufacturing semiconductor device

ABSTRACT

In a transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer, an oxide insulating layer is formed so as to be in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer. Then, oxygen is introduced (added) to the oxide semiconductor layer through the oxide insulating layer, and heat treatment is performed. Through these steps of oxygen introduction and heat treatment, impurities such as hydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, or hydride are intentionally removed from the oxide semiconductor layer, so that the oxide semiconductor layer is highly purified.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method formanufacturing a semiconductor device.

In this specification, a semiconductor device generally means a devicewhich can function by utilizing semiconductor characteristics, and anelectro-optic device, a semiconductor circuit, and an electronic deviceare all semiconductor devices.

BACKGROUND ART

Attention has been focused on a technique for forming a transistor usinga semiconductor thin film formed over a substrate having an insulatingsurface (also referred to as a thin film transistor (TFT)). Thetransistor is applied to a wide range of electronic devices such as anintegrated circuit (IC) or an image display device (display device). Asilicon-based semiconductor material is widely known as a material for asemiconductor thin film applicable to a transistor. As another material,an oxide semiconductor has been attracting attention.

For example, a transistor whose active layer uses an amorphous oxidecontaining indium (In), gallium (Ga), and zinc (Zn) and having anelectron carrier concentration of less than 10¹⁸/cm³ is disclosed (seePatent Document 1).

REFERENCE

-   [Patent Document 1] Japanese Published Patent Application No.    2006-165528

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

However, the electrical conductivity of an oxide semiconductor changeswhen deviation from stoichiometric composition due to excess ordeficiency of oxygen or the like occurs, or hydrogen or moistureincluded in an electron donor enters the oxide semiconductor during athin film formation process. Such a phenomenon becomes a factor ofvariation in the electric characteristics of a transistor using theoxide semiconductor.

In view of the above problems, one object is to provide a semiconductordevice using an oxide semiconductor, which has stable electriccharacteristics and high reliability.

In order to suppress variation in the electric characteristics of a thinfilm transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer, impurities suchas hydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, or hydride (also referred to asa hydrogen compound) which cause the variation are intentionally removedfrom an oxide semiconductor layer. In addition, oxygen which is themajor component of an oxide semiconductor and is reduced in the step ofremoving impurities is supplied. The oxide semiconductor layer is thushighly-purified, whereby the oxide semiconductor layer which iselectrically i-type (intrinsic) is obtained.

An i-type (intrinsic) oxide semiconductor is an oxide semiconductorwhich is intrinsic or is extremely close to being intrinsic. The i-type(intrinsic) oxide semiconductor is obtained in such a manner thathydrogen, which is an n-type impurity, is removed from an oxidesemiconductor, and the oxide semiconductor is highly purified to containas few impurities as possible. That is, the oxide semiconductor has afeature in that it is made to be an i-type (intrinsic) oxidesemiconductor or made to be close thereto by being highly purified byremoval of impurities such as hydrogen or water as much as possible.This enables the Fermi level (E) to be at the same level as theintrinsic Fermi level (E).

In a transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer, an oxideinsulating layer (also referred to as a first insulating layer) isformed so as to be in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer, oxygenis introduced (added) through the oxide insulating layer, and heattreatment is performed. Through these steps of oxygen introduction andheat treatment, impurities such as hydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group,or hydride (also referred to as a hydrogen compound) are intentionallyremoved from the oxide semiconductor layer, whereby the oxidesemiconductor layer is highly purified. By introduction of oxygen, abond between a metal included in the oxide semiconductor and hydrogen ora bond between the metal and a hydroxyl group is cut, and the hydrogenor the hydroxyl group is reacted with oxygen to produce water; thisleads to easy elimination of hydrogen or a hydroxyl group that is animpurity, as water by the heat treatment performed later.

Oxygen is introduced to the oxide semiconductor layer through an oxideinsulating layer stacked over the oxide semiconductor layer, so that anintroduction depth (an introduction region) at which oxygen isintroduced can be controlled and thus oxygen can be efficientlyintroduced to the oxide semiconductor layer.

The oxide semiconductor layer and the oxide insulating layer containingoxygen are in contact with each other when being subjected to the heattreatment; thus, oxygen which is one of the main component of the oxidesemiconductor and is reduced in the step of removing impurities, can besupplied from the oxide insulating layer containing oxygen to the oxidesemiconductor layer. Thus, the oxide semiconductor layer is more highlypurified to become electrically i-type (intrinsic).

In addition, a protective insulating layer (also referred to as a secondinsulating layer) which prevents impurities such as moisture or hydrogenfrom entering from the outside is preferably formed over the oxideinsulating layer so that these impurities are not included in the oxidesemiconductor layer again.

The electric characteristics of a transistor including a highly-purifiedoxide semiconductor layer, such as the threshold voltage and off-statecurrent, have almost no temperature dependence. Further, transistorcharacteristics hardly change due to light deterioration.

As described above, variation in the electric characteristics of atransistor including a highly-purified and electrically i-type(intrinsic) oxide semiconductor layer is suppressed and the transistoris electrically stable. Consequently, a semiconductor device using anoxide semiconductor, which has high reliability and stable electriccharacteristics, can be provided.

The temperature of the heat treatment is 250° C. to 700° C. inclusive,400° C. to 700° C. inclusive, or lower than the strain point of asubstrate. The heat treatment may be performed under an atmosphere ofnitrogen, oxygen, ultra-dry air (air in which a water content is 20 ppmor less, preferably 1 ppm or less, more preferably 10 ppb or less), or arare gas (argon, helium, or the like).

One embodiment of the present invention disclosed in this specificationis a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including thefollowing steps: forming an oxide semiconductor layer; forming a firstinsulating layer which is an oxide insulating layer so as to be incontact with the oxide semiconductor layer; introducing oxygen to theoxide semiconductor layer through the first insulating layer; performingheat treatment to the first insulating layer and the oxide semiconductorlayer; and forming a second insulating layer over the first insulatinglayer.

Another embodiment of the present invention disclosed in thisspecification is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor deviceincluding the following steps: forming a gate electrode layer over asubstrate; forming a gate insulating layer over the gate electrodelayer; forming an oxide semiconductor layer over the gate insulatinglayer; forming a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer overthe oxide semiconductor layer; forming a first insulating layer which isan oxide insulating layer over the oxide semiconductor layer, the sourceelectrode layer, and the drain electrode layer so as to be in contactwith the oxide semiconductor layer; introducing oxygen to the oxidesemiconductor layer through the first insulating layer; performing heattreatment on the first insulating layer and the oxide semiconductorlayer; and forming a second insulating layer over the first insulatinglayer.

Another embodiment of the present invention disclosed in thisspecification is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor deviceincluding the following steps: forming a source electrode layer and adrain electrode layer over a substrate; forming an oxide semiconductorlayer over the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer;forming a first insulating layer which is an oxide insulating layer soas to be in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer; introducingoxygen to the oxide semiconductor layer through the first insulatinglayer: performing heat treatment on the first insulating layer and theoxide semiconductor layer; forming a second insulating layer over thefirst insulating layer; and forming a gate electrode layer over thesecond insulating layer overlapping with the oxide semiconductor layer.

In the above structures, heat treatment may be performed on the oxidesemiconductor layer before the first insulating layer is formed over theoxide semiconductor layer. The oxygen introduction can be performed byan ion implantation method or an ion doping method.

Note that the ordinal numbers such as “first” and “second” in thisspecification are used for convenience and do not denote the order ofsteps and the stacking order of layers. In addition, the ordinal numbersin this specification do not denote particular names which specify thepresent invention.

An oxide insulating layer is formed so as to be in contact with an oxidesemiconductor layer. Oxygen is introduced to the oxide semiconductorlayer through the oxide insulating layer, and heat treatment isperformed. Through these steps of oxygen introduction and heattreatment, impurities such as hydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, orhydride can be intentionally removed from the oxide semiconductor layer,whereby the oxide semiconductor layer can be highly purified. Variationin electric characteristics of a transistor having a highly-purified andelectrically i-type (intrinsic) oxide semiconductor layer is suppressed,and the transistor is electrically stable.

Consequently, with one embodiment of the present invention, a transistorhaving stable electric characteristics can be manufactured.

In addition, with one embodiment of the present invention, asemiconductor device having a transistor with favorable electriccharacteristics and reliability can be manufactured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A to 1E show one embodiment of a semiconductor device and amethod for manufacturing the semiconductor device.

FIGS. 2A to 2D show one embodiment of a semiconductor device and amethod for manufacturing the semiconductor device.

FIGS. 3A to 3E show one embodiment of a semiconductor device and amethod for manufacturing the semiconductor device.

FIGS. 4A and 4B each show one embodiment of a semiconductor device.

FIGS. 5A to 5D show one embodiment of a semiconductor device and amethod for manufacturing the semiconductor device.

FIGS. 6A to 6C each show one embodiment of a semiconductor device.

FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of a semiconductor device.

FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of a semiconductor device.

FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of a semiconductor device.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show one embodiment of a semiconductor device.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show an electronic device.

FIGS. 12A to 12F each show an electronic device.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show one embodiment of a semiconductor device.

FIG. 14 shows the sheet resistance of an oxide semiconductor layer underan oxygen introduction condition.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the presentinvention is not limited to the description below, and it is easilyunderstood by those skilled in the art that modes and details disclosedherein can be changed in various ways. In addition, the presentinvention is not construed as being limited to description of theembodiments shown below.

Embodiment 1

In this embodiment, one embodiment of a semiconductor device and amethod for manufacturing the semiconductor device will be described withreference to FIGS. 1A to 1E. In this embodiment, a transistor includingan oxide semiconductor layer is shown as an example of the semiconductordevice.

As shown in FIG. 1E, a transistor 410 includes a gate electrode layer401, a gate insulating layer 402, an oxide semiconductor layer 403, asource electrode layer 405 a, and a drain electrode layer 405 b, whichare formed over a substrate 400 having an insulating surface. An oxideinsulating layer 407 (also referred to as a first insulating layer) anda protective insulating layer 409 (also referred to as a secondinsulating layer) are stacked over the transistor 410 in this order.

FIGS. 1A to 1E show an example of a method for manufacturing thetransistor 410.

First, a conductive film is formed over the substrate 400 having aninsulating surface, and then, the gate electrode layer 401 is formed ina first photolithography step. Note that a resist mask may be formed byan inkjet method. Formation of the resist mask by an inkjet method needsno photomask; thus, manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Although there is no particular limitation on a substrate used for thesubstrate 400 having an insulating surface, a glass substrate of bariumborosilicate glass, aluminoborosilicate glass, or the like can be used.

The semiconductor device may be manufactured using a flexible substrateas the substrate 400.

In order to manufacture a flexible semiconductor device, the transistor410 including the oxide semiconductor layer 403 may be directly providedover a flexible substrate. Alternatively, the transistor 410 includingthe oxide semiconductor layer 403 is provided over a manufacturingsubstrate, and after that, the transistor 410 may be separated from themanufacturing substrate and transferred to a flexible substrate. Notethat in order to separate and transfer a transistor from themanufacturing substrate to a flexible substrate, a separation layer maybe provided between the manufacturing substrate and the transistorincluding an oxide semiconductor layer.

An insulating film serving as a base film may be provided between thesubstrate 400 and the gate electrode layer 401. The base film has afunction of preventing diffusion of an impurity element from thesubstrate 400, and can be formed with a single-layer structure or astacked-layer structure using one or more of a silicon nitride film, asilicon oxide film, a silicon nitride oxide film, and a siliconoxynitride film.

The gate electrode layer 401 can be formed to have a single-layerstructure or a stacked-layer structure using a metal material such asmolybdenum, titanium, tantalum, tungsten, aluminum, copper, neodymium,or scandium, or an alloy material containing any of these materials asits main component.

Next, the gate insulating layer 402 is formed over the gate electrodelayer 401. The gate insulating layer 402 can be formed with asingle-layer structure or a stacked-layer structure using any of asilicon oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitridelayer, a silicon nitride oxide layer, an aluminum oxide layer, analuminum nitride layer, an aluminum oxynitride layer, an aluminumnitride oxide layer, and a hafnium oxide layer by a plasma CVD method, asputtering method, or the like.

The oxide semiconductor used in this embodiment is an intrinsic (i-type)or substantially intrinsic (i-type) oxide semiconductor, from whichimpurities are removed and which is highly purified so as to containimpurities that serve as carrier donors and are substances other thanthe main component of the oxide semiconductor as little as possible.

Such a highly-purified oxide semiconductor is highly sensitive to aninterface state and interface charge; thus, an interface between theoxide semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer is important.For that reason, the gate insulating layer that is to be in contact witha highly-purified oxide semiconductor needs to have high quality.

For example, a high-density plasma CVD method using microwaves (e.g., afrequency of 2.45 GHz) is preferably adopted because an insulating layerwhich is dense and has high breakdown voltage and high quality can beobtained. The highly-purified oxide semiconductor and the high-qualitygate insulating layer are in close contact with each other, whereby theinterface state density can be reduced to obtain favorable interfacecharacteristics.

Needless to say, another film formation method such as a sputteringmethod or a plasma CVD method can be employed as long as the methodenables formation of a good-quality insulating layer as a gateinsulating layer. Further, an insulating layer whose film quality andcharacteristic of the interface between the insulating layer and anoxide semiconductor are improved by heat treatment performed afterformation of the insulating layer, may be formed as a gate insulatinglayer. In any case, any insulating layer may be used as long as theinsulating layer has characteristics of enabling reduction in interfacestate density of the interface between the insulating layer and an oxidesemiconductor and formation of a favorable interface as well as havingfavorable film quality as a gate insulating layer.

In order that hydrogen, a hydroxyl group, and moisture might becontained in the gate insulating layer 402 and the oxide semiconductorlayer as little as possible, it is preferable that the substrate 400over which the gate electrode layer 401 is formed or the substrate 400over which layers up to the gate insulating layer 402 are formed bepreheated in a preheating chamber of a sputtering apparatus aspretreatment for film formation of the oxide semiconductor layer so thatimpurities such as hydrogen and moisture adsorbed to the substrate 400are eliminated and evacuated. As an exhaustion unit provided in thepreheating chamber, a cryopump is preferable. Note that this preheatingtreatment can be omitted. This preheating may be similarly performed onthe substrate 400 over which layers up to a source electrode layer 405 aand a drain electrode layer 405 b have been formed, before the formationof the oxide insulating layer 407.

Next, over the gate insulating layer 402, an oxide semiconductor layerwith a thickness of 2 nm to 200 nm inclusive, preferably 5 nm to 30 nminclusive is formed.

Note that before the oxide semiconductor layer is formed by a sputteringmethod, powder substances (also referred to as particles or dust) whichare generated at the time of the film formation and attached on asurface of the gate insulating layer 402 are preferably removed byreverse sputtering in which an argon gas is introduced and plasma isgenerated. The reverse sputtering is a method in which voltage isapplied to a substrate side, not to a target side, under an argonatmosphere by using an RF power supply and plasma is generated in thevicinity of the substrate so that a substrate surface is modified. Notethat instead of an argon atmosphere, a nitrogen atmosphere, a heliumatmosphere, an oxygen atmosphere, or the like may be used.

As an oxide semiconductor used for the oxide semiconductor layer, afour-component metal oxide such as an In—Sn—Ga—Zn—O-based oxidesemiconductor; a three-component metal oxide such as an In—Ga—Zn—O-basedoxide semiconductor, an In—Sn—Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor, anIn—Al—Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor, a Sn—Ga—Zn—O-based oxidesemiconductor, an Al—Ga—Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor, or aSn—Al—Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor; a two-component metal oxide suchas an In—Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor, a Sn—Zn—O-based oxidesemiconductor, an Al—Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor, a Zn—Mg—O-basedoxide semiconductor, a Sn—Mg—O-based oxide semiconductor, or anIn—Mg—O-based oxide semiconductor; an In—O-based oxide semiconductor; aSn—O-based oxide semiconductor; or a Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor canbe used. Further, SiO₂ may be contained in the above oxidesemiconductor. Note that here, for example, an In—Ga—Zn—O-based oxidesemiconductor means an oxide containing indium (In), gallium (Ga), andzinc (Zn), and there is no particular limitation on the stoichiometricproportion thereof. Furthermore, the In—Ga—Zn—O-based oxidesemiconductor may contain an element other than In, Ga, and Zn.

For the oxide semiconductor layer, a thin film represented byInMO₃(ZnO)_(m) (m>0, and m is not a natural number) can be used. Here, Mrepresents one or more metal elements selected from Ga, Al, Mn, and Co.For example, M can be Ga, Ga and Al, Ga and Mn, Ga and Co, or the like.

In this embodiment, the oxide semiconductor layer is formed using anIn—Ga—Zn—O-based metal oxide target by a sputtering method. In addition,the oxide semiconductor layer can be formed by a sputtering method undera rare gas (typically, argon) atmosphere, an oxygen atmosphere, or amixed atmosphere of a rare gas and oxygen.

The target used for formation of the oxide semiconductor layer by asputtering method is, for example, a metal oxide target having acomposition ratio of In₂O₃:Ga₂O₃:ZnO=1:1:1[molar ratio], so that anIn-Ga—Zn-O film is formed. Without limitation to the material and thecomponent of the target, for example, a metal oxide target having acomposition ratio of In₂O₃:Ga₂O₃:ZnO=1:1:2 [molar ratio] may be used.

The fill rate of the metal oxide target is 90% to 100% inclusive,preferably, 95% to 99.9% inclusive. With the use of a metal oxide targetwith a high fill rate, the formed oxide semiconductor layer can havehigh density.

It is preferable to use a high-purity gas from which impurities such ashydrogen, water, a hydroxyl group, or hydride are removed as asputtering gas used when the oxide semiconductor layer is formed.

The substrate is placed in a film formation chamber under reducedpressure, and the substrate temperature is set to 100° C. to 600° C.inclusive, preferably 200° C. to 400° C. inclusive. By heating thesubstrate during film formation, the concentration of impuritiescontained in the oxide semiconductor layer formed can be reduced. Inaddition, damage by sputtering can be reduced. Then, a sputtering gasfrom which hydrogen and moisture have been removed is introduced intothe film formation chamber while moisture remaining therein is removed,and the oxide semiconductor layer is formed over the substrate 400 withthe use of the above target. In order to remove the remaining moisturein the film formation chamber, an entrapment vacuum pump, for example, acryopump, an ion pump, or a titanium sublimation pump is preferablyused. As an exhaustion unit, a turbo molecular pump to which a cold trapis added may be used. In the film formation chamber which is evacuatedwith the cryopump, a hydrogen atom, a compound containing a hydrogenatom, such as water (H₂O), (more preferably, also a compound containinga carbon atom), and the like are evacuated, whereby the concentration ofimpurities contained in the oxide semiconductor layer formed in the filmformation chamber can be reduced.

As one example of the film formation condition, the distance between thesubstrate and the target is 100 mm, the pressure is 0.6 Pa, thedirect-current (DC) power source is 0.5 kW, and the atmosphere is anoxygen atmosphere (the proportion of the oxygen flow rate is 100%). Notethat a pulse direct current power source is preferable because powdersubstances (also referred to as particles or dust) generated at the timeof the film formation can be reduced and the film thickness can beuniform.

Next, in a second photolithography step, the oxide semiconductor layeris processed into an island-shaped oxide semiconductor layer 441 (seeFIG. 1A). A resist mask for forming the island-shaped oxidesemiconductor layer 441 may be formed using an inkjet method. Formationof the resist mask by an inkjet method needs no photomask; thus,manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In the case where a contact hole is formed in the gate insulating layer402, a step of forming the contact hole can be performed at the sametime as processing of the oxide semiconductor layer 441.

Note that the etching of the oxide semiconductor layer may be dryetching, wet etching, or both dry etching and wet etching. As an etchantused for wet etching of the oxide semiconductor layer, a solutionobtained by mixing phosphoric acid, acetic acid, and nitric acid, anammonia peroxide mixture (hydrogen peroxide water at 31 wt %:ammoniawater at 28 wt %:water=5:2:2), or the like can be used, for example. Inaddition, ITO07N (produced by KANTO CHEMICAL CO., INC.) may also beused.

Next, a conductive film to be a source electrode layer and a drainelectrode layer (including a wiring formed in the same layer as thesource electrode layer and the drain electrode layer) is formed over thegate insulating layer 402 and the oxide semiconductor layer 441. As aconductive film used for the source electrode layer and the drainelectrode layer, for example, a metal film containing an elementselected from Al, Cr, Cu, Ta, Ti, Mo, and W and a metal nitride filmcontaining any of the above elements as its main component (a titaniumnitride film, a molybdenum nitride film, and a tungsten nitride film)can be used. A metal film having a high melting point of Ti, Mo, W, orthe like or a metal nitride film of any of these elements (a titaniumnitride film, a molybdenum nitride film, and a tungsten nitride film)may be stacked on one of or both of a lower side or an upper side of ametal film of Al, Cu, or the like. Alternatively, the conductive film tobe the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer may beformed using a conductive metal oxide. As conductive metal oxide, indiumoxide (In₂O₃), tin oxide (SnO₂), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide-tinoxide alloy (In₂O₃—SnO₂, which is abbreviated to ITO), indium oxide-zincoxide alloy (In₂O₃—ZnO), or any of these metal oxide materials in whichsilicon oxide is contained can be used.

A resist mask is formed over the conductive film by a thirdphotolithography step. Etching is selectively performed, so that thesource electrode layer 405 a and the drain electrode layer 405 b areformed. After that, the resist mask is removed.

Light exposure at the time of the formation of the resist mask in thethird photolithography step may be performed using ultraviolet light,KrF laser light, or ArF laser light. A channel length L of thetransistor formed later is determined by the distance between a loweredge portion of the source electrode layer and a lower edge portion ofthe drain electrode layer which are next to each other over the oxidesemiconductor layer 441. In the case where light exposure is performedfor a channel length L of less than 25 nm, the light exposure at thetime of the formation of the resist mask in the third photolithographystep may be performed using extreme ultraviolet light having anextremely short wavelength of several nanometers to several tens ofnanometers. In the light exposure by extreme ultraviolet light, theresolution is high and the focus depth is large. Consequently, thechannel length L of the transistor to be formed later can be 10 nm to1000 nm inclusive, whereby operation speed of a circuit can beincreased.

In order to reduce the number of photomasks used in a photolithographystep and reduce the number of photolithography steps, an etching stepmay be performed with the use of a multi-tone mask which is alight-exposure mask through which light is transmitted to have aplurality of intensities. A resist mask formed with the use of amulti-tone mask has a plurality of thicknesses and further can bechanged in shape by etching; therefore, the resist mask can be used in aplurality of etching steps for processing into different patterns.Therefore, a resist mask corresponding to at least two kinds or more ofdifferent patterns can be formed by one multi-tone mask. Thus, thenumber of light-exposure masks can be reduced and the number ofcorresponding photolithography steps can be also reduced, wherebysimplification of a process can be realized.

Note that it is preferable that etching conditions be optimized so asnot to etch and divide the oxide semiconductor layer 441 when theconductive film is etched. However, it is difficult to obtain etchingconditions in which only the conductive film is etched away and theoxide semiconductor layer 441 is not etched at all; in some cases, onlypart of the oxide semiconductor layer 441 is etched away by the etchingof the conductive film so as to be a depressed portion (a grooveportion).

In this embodiment, since a Ti film is used as the conductive film andthe In—Ga—Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor is used for the oxidesemiconductor layer 441, an ammonium hydrogen peroxide mixture (a mixedsolution of ammonia water, water, and hydrogen peroxide solution) isused as an etchant.

Next, by plasma treatment using a gas such as N₂O, N₂, or Ar, water orthe like adsorbed to a surface of an exposed portion of the oxidesemiconductor layer 441 may be removed. In the case where the plasmatreatment is performed, the oxide insulating layer 407 which is incontact with part of the oxide semiconductor layer 441 is formed withoutbeing exposed to the air.

The oxide insulating layer 407 has a thickness of at least 1 nm orlarger and can be formed by a method by which impurities such as waterand hydrogen are not included in the oxide insulating layer 407, such asa sputtering method, as appropriate. When hydrogen is contained in theoxide insulating layer 407, entry of the hydrogen to the oxidesemiconductor layer or extraction of oxygen in the oxide semiconductorlayer by the hydrogen is caused, thereby making the resistance of thebackchannel of the oxide semiconductor layer low (to have an n-typeconductivity), so that a parasitic channel might be formed. Therefore,it is important that a formation method in which hydrogen is not used isemployed such that the oxide insulating layer 407 contains hydrogen asless as possible.

For the oxide insulating layer 407, typically, an inorganic insulatingfilm such as a silicon oxide film or a silicon oxynitride film can beused.

In this embodiment, as the oxide insulating layer 407, a silicon oxidefilm having a thickness of 200 nm is formed by a sputtering method. Thesubstrate temperature in film formation may be room temperature orhigher and 300° C. or lower and in this embodiment, is 100° C. Thesilicon oxide film can be formed by a sputtering method under a rare gas(typically, argon) atmosphere, an oxygen atmosphere, or a mixedatmosphere containing a rare gas and oxygen. As a target, a siliconoxide target or a silicon target may be used. For example, the siliconoxide film can be formed using a silicon target by a sputtering methodin an atmosphere containing oxygen.

In order to remove remaining moisture in the film formation chamber ofthe oxide insulating layer 407 at the same time as film formation of theoxide semiconductor layer, an entrapment vacuum pump (such as acryopump) is preferably used. When a cryopump is used to evacuate thefilm formation chamber, the concentration of impurities contained in theoxide insulating layer 407 can be reduced. In addition, as an evacuationunit for removing moisture remaining in the film formation chamber ofthe oxide insulating layer 407, a turbo molecular pump provided with acold trap may be used.

A high-purity gas from which impurities such as hydrogen, water, ahydroxyl group, or hydride are removed is preferably used as asputtering gas used in formation of the oxide insulating layer 407.

Next, oxygen 421 is introduced to the oxide semiconductor layer 441through the oxide insulating layer 407 (see FIG. 1C).

As a method for introducing the oxygen 421, an ion implantation method,an ion doping method, or the like can be used. In an ion implantationmethod, a source gas is made into plasma, ion species included in thisplasma are extracted and mass-separated, and ion species withpredetermined mass are accelerated and implanted into an object to beprocessed as an ion beam. In an ion doping method, a source gas is madeinto plasma, ion species are extracted from this plasma by an operationof a predetermined electric field, and the extracted ion species areaccelerated without mass separation and implanted into an object to beprocessed as an ion beam. When the introduction of oxygen is performedusing an ion implantation method involving mass-separation, an impuritysuch as a metal element can be prevented from being added into the oxidesemiconductor layer. In addition, an ion doping method enables ion-beamirradiation to a larger area than an ion implantation method; therefore,when the addition of oxygen is performed using an ion doping method, thetakt time can be shortened.

Oxygen is introduced to the oxide semiconductor layer 441 through theoxide insulating layer 407 stacked over the oxide semiconductor layer441, so that an introduction depth (an introduction region) at whichoxygen is introduced can be controlled and thus oxygen can beefficiently introduced to the oxide semiconductor layer 441. The depthat which oxygen is introduced may be controlled by appropriately settingan introduction condition such as acceleration voltage and a dose or athickness of an oxide insulating layer which the oxygen passes through.In the case where an oxygen gas is used and oxygen is introduced by anion implantation method, the dose may be set in the range of 1×10¹³ions/cm² to 5×10¹⁵ ions/cm² both inclusive.

In particular, it is important to remove impurities such as hydrogen,water, a hydroxyl group, or hydride in a channel formation region of anoxide semiconductor layer, so that in the transistor 410 having abottom-gate structure, a large amount of oxygen is preferably introducedto the vicinity of the interface with the gate insulating layer 402 inthe oxide semiconductor layer 441.

It is preferable that a peak of the introduced oxygen concentration inthe oxide semiconductor layer be 1×10¹⁸/cm³ to 3×10²⁰/cm³ (morepreferably, 1×10¹⁸/cm³ to 1×10²⁰/cm³).

The above described oxygen concentration can be measured in thefollowing manner: an oxygen isotope of mass number 18 is introduced asan oxygen, and after the introduction, the concentration of the oxygenisotope of mass number 18 in the oxide semiconductor layer is analyzedby a secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS).

Next, the oxide semiconductor layer 441 to which oxygen is introducedand part of which (the channel formation region) is in contact with theoxide insulating layer 407 is subjected to heat treatment.

The temperature of the heat treatment is 250° C. to 700° C. inclusive,preferably 400° C. to 700° C. inclusive, or lower than the strain pointof the substrate. For example, after the substrate is put in an electricfurnace which is a kind of heat treatment apparatus, the oxidesemiconductor layer 441 is subjected to the heat treatment at 450° C.for one hour in a nitrogen atmosphere.

Note that a heat treatment apparatus used is not limited to an electricfurnace, and a device for heating an object to be processed by heatconduction or heat radiation from a heating element such as a resistanceheating element may be alternatively used. For example, an RTA (rapidthermal anneal) apparatus such as a GRTA (gas rapid thermal anneal)apparatus or an LRTA (lamp rapid thermal anneal) apparatus can be used.An LRTA apparatus is an apparatus for heating an object to be processedby radiation of light (an electromagnetic wave) emitted from a lamp suchas a halogen lamp, a metal halide lamp, a xenon arc lamp, a carbon arclamp, a high pressure sodium lamp, or a high pressure mercury lamp. AGRTA apparatus is an apparatus for heat treatment using ahigh-temperature gas. As the high-temperature gas, an inert gas whichdoes not react with an object to be processed by heat treatment, such asnitrogen or a rare gas like argon, is used.

For example, as the heat treatment, GRTA may be performed as follows.The substrate is put in an inert gas heated at high temperature of 650°C. to 700° C., is heated for several minutes, and is taken out of theinert gas.

The heat treatment may be performed under an atmosphere of nitrogen,oxygen, ultra-dry air (air in which a water content is 20 ppm or lower,preferably 1 ppm or lower, more preferably 10 ppb or lower), or a raregas (argon, helium, or the like). Note that it is preferable that water,hydrogen, or the like be not contained in the atmosphere of nitrogen,oxygen, ultra-dry air, or a rare gas. It is also preferable that thepurity of nitrogen, oxygen, or the rare gas which is introduced into aheat treatment apparatus be set to be 6N (99.9999%) or higher,preferably 7N (99.99999%) or higher (that is, the impurity concentrationis 1 ppm or lower, preferably 0.1 ppm or lower).

By the introduction of oxygen, a bond between a metal included in theoxide semiconductor and hydrogen or a bond between the metal and ahydroxyl group is cut. At the same time, the hydrogen or the hydroxylgroup reacts with oxygen to produce water. Consequently, hydrogen or ahydroxyl group which is impurity can be easily eliminated as water bythe heat treatment performed later.

By the introduction of oxygen and the heat treatment, the oxidesemiconductor layer can be dehydrated or dehydrogenated, wherebyimpurities such as hydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, or hydride canbe removed from the oxide semiconductor layer.

The oxide semiconductor layer 441 and the oxide insulating layer 407containing oxygen are in contact with each other when being subjected tothe heat treatment; thus, oxygen which is one of the main component ofthe oxide semiconductor layer 441 and is reduced in the step of removingimpurities, can be supplied from the oxide insulating layer 407containing oxygen to the oxide semiconductor layer 441. Through theabove process, the oxide semiconductor layer 441 is highly purified, sothat the electrically i-type (intrinsic) oxide semiconductor layer 403is obtained.

The number of carriers in the highly-purified oxide semiconductor layer403 is very small (close to zero), and the carrier concentration is lessthan 1×10¹⁴/cm³, preferably less than 1×10¹²/cm³, still preferably lessthan 1×10¹¹/cm³.

Through the above process, the transistor 410 is formed (see FIG. 1D).The transistor 410 is a transistor including the oxide semiconductorlayer 403 which is highly purified and from which impurities such ashydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, or hydride (also referred to as ahydrogen compound) are intentionally removed. Therefore, variation inthe electric characteristics of the transistor 410 is suppressed and thetransistor 410 is electrically stable.

The protective insulating layer 409 which prevents impurities such asmoisture or hydrogen from entering from the outside is preferably formedover the oxide insulating layer 407 so that these impurities are notincluded in the oxide semiconductor layer 403 again (see FIG. 1E). Aninorganic insulating film is used for the protective insulating layer409, and a silicon nitride film, an aluminum oxide film, or the like maybe used. For example, a silicon nitride film is formed by an RFsputtering method. Since an RF sputtering method has high productivity,it is preferably used as a film formation method of the protectiveinsulating layer 409.

Heat treatment may be performed after the protective insulating layer409 is formed. For example, the heat treatment may be performed at 100°C. to 200° C. inclusive for one hour to 30 hours inclusive in the air.This heat treatment may be performed at fixed heating temperature.Alternatively, the following change in the heating temperature may beconducted plural times repeatedly: the heating temperature is increasedfrom room temperature to temperature of 100° C. to 200° C. inclusive andthen decreased to room temperature.

In the transistor 410 using the highly-purified oxide semiconductorlayer 403 manufactured in this embodiment, the current in an off state(an off-state current value) per micrometer in channel width can bereduced to less than 10 zA/μm at room temperature and less than 100zA/μm at 85° C.

Further, the field-effect mobility of the transistor 410 including theoxide semiconductor layer 403 can be relatively high, whereby high-speedoperation is possible. For example, when such a transistor which canoperate at high speed is used for a liquid crystal display device, aswitching transistor in a pixel portion and a driver transistor in adriver circuit portion can be formed over one substrate. That is, sincea semiconductor device formed of a silicon wafer or the like is notadditionally needed as a driver circuit, the number of components of thesemiconductor device can be reduced. In addition, by using a transistorwhich can operate at high speed in a pixel portion, a high-quality imagecan be provided.

As described above, a semiconductor device including an oxidesemiconductor, which has stable electric characteristics, can beprovided. Therefore, a semiconductor device with high reliability can beprovided.

Embodiment 2

In this embodiment, another embodiment of a semiconductor device and amethod for manufacturing the semiconductor device will be described withreference to FIGS. 2A to 2D. The same portion as or a portion having afunction similar to those in the above embodiment can be formed in amanner similar to that described in the above embodiment, and also thesteps similar to those in the above embodiment can be performed in amanner similar to that described in the above embodiment, and repetitivedescription is omitted. In addition, detailed description of the sameportions is omitted.

A transistor 450 shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D is a staggered thin filmtransistor which is one of a top-gate transistor.

The transistor 450 includes the source electrode layer 405 a, the drainelectrode layer 405 b, the oxide semiconductor layer 403, an oxideinsulating layer 437, a protective insulating layer 438, and the gateelectrode layer 401, which are formed over the substrate 400 having aninsulating surface. The oxide insulating layer 437 and the protectiveinsulating layer 438 serve as a gate insulating layer.

FIGS. 2A to 2D show an example of a method for manufacturing thetransistor 450.

First, an insulating layer 436 is formed over the substrate 400 havingan insulating surface.

The source electrode layer 405 a and the drain electrode layer 405 b areformed over the insulating layer 436. An oxide semiconductor layer 451is formed over the insulating layer 436, the source electrode layer 405a, and the drain electrode layer 405 b, in the manner similar to that ofthe oxide semiconductor layer 441. In this embodiment, an oxidesemiconductor film is formed using an In—Ga—Zn—O-based metal oxidetarget by a sputtering method, and an In—Ga—Zn—O-based oxidesemiconductor film is processed into an island-shaped oxidesemiconductor layer 451 (see FIG. 2A).

The oxide insulating layer 437 functioning as a gate insulating layer isformed over the oxide semiconductor layer 451. The oxide insulatinglayer 437 is formed in the manner similar to that of the oxideinsulating layer 407. In this embodiment, a silicon oxide film is formedto have a thickness of 200 nm as the oxide insulating layer 437 by asputtering method.

Next, the oxygen 421 is introduced to the oxide semiconductor layer 451through the oxide insulating layer 437 (see FIG. 2B). As a method forintroducing the oxygen 421, an ion implantation method, an ion dopingmethod, or the like can be used. In this embodiment, an ion implantationmethod is performed using an oxygen gas to introduce oxygen.

Oxygen is introduced to the oxide semiconductor layer 451 through theoxide insulating layer 437 stacked over the oxide semiconductor layer451, so that an introduction depth (an introduction region) at whichoxygen is introduced can be controlled and thus oxygen can beefficiently introduced to the oxide semiconductor layer 451. The depthat which oxygen is introduced may be controlled by appropriately settingan introduction condition such as acceleration voltage and a dose or athickness of the oxide insulating layer 437 which the oxygen passesthrough. For example, in the case where an oxygen gas is used and oxygenis introduced by an ion implantation method, the dose may be set in therange of 1×10¹³ ions/cm² to 5×10¹⁵ ions/cm² both inclusive.

In particular, it is important to remove impurities such as hydrogen,water, a hydroxyl group, or hydride in a channel formation region of anoxide semiconductor layer, so that in the transistor 450 having atop-gate structure, a large amount of oxygen is preferably introduced tothe vicinity of the interface with the oxide insulating layer 437 in theoxide semiconductor layer 451.

It is preferable that a peak of the introduced oxygen concentration inthe oxide semiconductor layer be 1×10¹⁸/cm³ to 3×10²⁰/cm³ (morepreferably, 1×10¹⁸/cm³ to 1×10²⁰/cm³).

The above described oxygen concentration can be measured in thefollowing manner: an oxygen isotope of mass number 18 is introduced asan oxygen, and after the introduction, the concentration of the oxygenisotope of mass number 18 in the oxide semiconductor layer is analyzedby a secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS).

Next, the oxide semiconductor layer 451 to which oxygen is introducedand which is in contact with the oxide insulating layer 437 is subjectedto heat treatment.

The temperature of the heat treatment is 250° C. to 700° C. inclusive,400° C. to 700° C. inclusive, or lower than the strain point of asubstrate. The heat treatment may be performed under an atmosphere ofnitrogen, oxygen, ultra-dry air (air in which a water content is 20 ppmor lower, preferably 1 ppm or lower, more preferably 10 ppb or lower),or a rare gas (argon, helium, or the like). Note that it is preferablethat water, hydrogen, or the like be not contained in the atmosphere ofnitrogen, oxygen, ultra-dry air, or a rare gas. For example, after thesubstrate is put in an electric furnace which is a kind of heattreatment apparatus, the oxide semiconductor layer 451 is subjected tothe heat treatment at 450° C. for one hour in a nitrogen atmosphere.

By the introduction of oxygen, a bond between a metal included in theoxide semiconductor and hydrogen or a bond between the metal and ahydroxyl group is cut. At the same time, the hydrogen or the hydroxylgroup reacts with oxygen to produce water. Consequently, hydrogen or ahydroxyl group which is an impurity can be easily eliminated as water inthe heat treatment performed later.

By the introduction of oxygen and the heat treatment, the oxidesemiconductor layer 451 can be dehydrated or dehydrogenated, wherebyimpurities such as hydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, or hydride canbe removed from the oxide semiconductor layer.

The oxide semiconductor layer 451 and the oxide insulating layer 437containing oxygen are in contact with each other when being subjected tothe heat treatment; thus, oxygen which is one of the main component ofthe oxide semiconductor and is reduced in the step of removingimpurities, can be supplied from the oxide insulating layer 437containing oxygen to the oxide semiconductor layer 451. Through theabove process, the oxide semiconductor layer 451 is highly purified, sothat the electrically i-type (intrinsic) oxide semiconductor layer 403is obtained (see FIG. 2C).

The protective insulating layer 438 which prevents impurities such asmoisture or hydrogen from entering from the outside is preferably formedover the oxide insulating layer 437 so that these impurities are notincluded in the oxide semiconductor layer 403 again. The protectiveinsulating layer 438 also functions as a gate insulating layer like theoxide insulating layer 437. For example, a silicon nitride film isformed as the protective insulating layer 438 by an RF sputteringmethod.

The gate electrode layer 401 is formed over the protective insulatinglayer 438 overlapping with the oxide semiconductor layer 403.

Through the above process, the transistor 450 is formed (see FIG. 2D).The transistor 450 is a transistor including the oxide semiconductorlayer 403 which is highly purified and from which impurities such ashydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, or hydride (also referred to as ahydrogen compound) are intentionally removed. Therefore, variation inthe electric characteristics of the transistor 450 is suppressed and thetransistor 450 is electrically stable.

As described above, a semiconductor device including an oxidesemiconductor, which has stable electric characteristics, can beprovided. Therefore, a semiconductor device with high reliability can beprovided.

This embodiment can be implemented combining with another embodiment asappropriate.

Embodiment 3

In this embodiment, another embodiment of a semiconductor device and amethod for manufacturing the semiconductor device will be described withreference to FIGS. 3A to 3E. The same portion as or a portion having afunction similar to those in the above embodiment can be formed in amanner similar to that described in the above embodiment, and also thesteps similar to those in the above embodiment can be performed in amanner similar to that described in the above embodiment, and repetitivedescription is omitted. In addition, detailed description of the sameportions is omitted.

A transistor 420 shown in FIGS. 3A to 3E is one of bottom-gatetransistors called channel-protective transistors (also referred to aschannel-stop transistors) and is also called an inverted staggered thinfilm transistor.

The transistor 420 includes the gate electrode layer 401, the gateinsulating layer 402, the oxide semiconductor layer 403, an oxideinsulating layer 427 functioning as a channel protective layer forcovering a channel formation region of the oxide semiconductor layer403, the source electrode layer 405 a, and the drain electrode layer 405b, which are formed over the substrate 400 having an insulating surface.Further, a protective insulating layer 409 is formed so as to cover thetransistor 420.

FIGS. 3A to 3E show an example of a method for manufacturing atransistor 420.

First, the gate electrode layer 401 is formed over the substrate 400having an insulating surface. The gate insulating layer 402 is formedover the gate electrode layer 401.

Next, an oxide semiconductor layer 422 is formed over the gateinsulating layer 402 in the manner similar to that of the oxidesemiconductor layer 441. In this embodiment, an In—Ga—Zn—O-based oxidefilm is formed using an In—Ga—Zn—O-based metal oxide target by asputtering method, and the In—Ga—Zn—O-based oxide film is processed intothe island-shaped oxide semiconductor layer 422.

An oxide insulating layer 426 is formed over the oxide semiconductorlayer 422 like the oxide insulating layer 407 (see FIG. 3A). In thisembodiment, a silicon oxide film is formed to have a thickness of 200 nmas the oxide insulating layer 426 by a sputtering method.

Next, the oxygen 421 is introduced to the oxide semiconductor layer 422through the oxide insulating layer 426 (see FIG. 3B). As a method forintroducing the oxygen 421, an ion implantation method, an ion dopingmethod, or the like can be used. In this embodiment, an ion implantationmethod is performed using an oxygen gas to introduce oxygen.

Oxygen is introduced to the oxide semiconductor layer 422 through theoxide insulating layer 426 stacked over the oxide semiconductor layer422, so that an introduction depth (an introduction region) at whichoxygen is introduced can be controlled and thus oxygen can beefficiently introduced to the oxide semiconductor layer 422. The depthat which oxygen is introduced may be controlled by appropriately settingan introduction condition such as acceleration voltage and a dose or athickness of the oxide insulating layer 426 which the oxygen passesthrough. For example, in the case where an oxygen gas is used and oxygenis introduced by an ion implantation method, the dose may be set in therange of 1×10¹³ ions/cm² to 5×10¹⁵ ions/cm² both inclusive.

In particular, it is important to remove impurities such as hydrogen,water, a hydroxyl group, or hydride in a channel formation region of theoxide semiconductor layer 422, so that in the transistor 420 having abottom-gate structure, a large amount of oxygen is preferably introducedto the vicinity of the interface with the gate insulating layer 402 inthe oxide semiconductor layer 422.

It is preferable that a peak of the introduced oxygen concentration inthe oxide semiconductor layer 422 be 1×10¹⁸/cm³ to 3×10²⁰/cm³ (morepreferably, 1×10¹⁸/cm³ to 1×10²⁰/cm³).

The above described oxygen concentration can be measured in thefollowing manner: an oxygen isotope of mass number 18 is introduced asan oxygen, and after the introduction, the concentration of the oxygenisotope of mass number 18 in the oxide semiconductor layer is analyzedby a secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS).

Next, the oxide semiconductor layer 422 to which oxygen is introducedand which is in contact with the oxide insulating layer 426 is subjectedto heat treatment.

The temperature of the heat treatment is 250° C. to 700° C. inclusive,400° C. to 700° C. inclusive, or lower than the strain point of asubstrate. The heat treatment may be performed under an atmosphere ofnitrogen, oxygen, ultra-dry air (air in which a water content is 20 ppmor lower, preferably 1 ppm or lower, more preferably 10 ppb or lower),or a rare gas (argon, helium, or the like). Note that it is preferablethat water, hydrogen, or the like be not contained in the atmosphere ofnitrogen, oxygen, ultra-dry air, or a rare gas. For example, after thesubstrate is put in an electric furnace which is a kind of heattreatment apparatus, the oxide semiconductor layer 422 is subjected tothe heat treatment at 450° C. for one hour in a nitrogen atmosphere.

By the introduction of oxygen, a bond between a metal included in theoxide semiconductor and hydrogen or a bond between the metal and ahydroxyl group is cut. At the same time, the hydrogen or the hydroxylgroup reacts with oxygen to produce water. Consequently, hydrogen or ahydroxyl group which is an impurity can be easily eliminated as water inthe heat treatment performed later.

By the introduction of oxygen and the heat treatment, the oxidesemiconductor layer 422 can be dehydrated or dehydrogenated, wherebyimpurities such as hydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, and hydride canbe removed from the oxide semiconductor layer 422.

The oxide semiconductor layer 422 and the oxide insulating layer 426containing oxygen are in contact with each other when being subjected tothe heat treatment; thus, oxygen which is one of the main component ofthe oxide semiconductor and is reduced in the step of removingimpurities, can be supplied from the oxide insulating layer 426containing oxygen to the oxide semiconductor layer 422. Through theabove process, the oxide semiconductor layer 422 is highly purified, sothat the electrically i-type (intrinsic) oxide semiconductor layer 403is obtained.

The oxide insulating layer 426 is processed into the oxide insulatinglayer 427 which functions as a channel protective layer covering thechannel formation region of the oxide semiconductor layer 403 by aphotolithography step (see FIG. 3D). Note that during this step foretching the oxide insulating layer 426, part of the oxide semiconductorlayer 403 is removed in some cases. In this case, the thickness of aregion of the oxide semiconductor layer 403 which is not covered withthe oxide insulating layer 427 becomes small.

The source electrode layer 405 a and the drain electrode layer 405 b areformed over the oxide semiconductor layer 403 and the oxide insulatinglayer 427.

Through the above process, the transistor 420 is formed (see FIG. 3E).The transistor 420 is a transistor including the oxide semiconductorlayer 403 which is highly purified and from which impurities such ashydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, or hydride (also referred to as ahydrogen compound) are intentionally removed. Therefore, variation inthe electric characteristics of the transistor 420 is suppressed and thetransistor 420 is electrically stable.

The protective insulating layer 409 which prevents impurities such asmoisture or hydrogen from entering from the outside is preferably formedover the oxide insulating layer 427, the source electrode layer 405 a,and the drain electrode layer 405 b so that these impurities are notincluded in the oxide semiconductor layer 403 again (see FIG. 3E). Forexample, a silicon nitride film is formed as the protective insulatinglayer 409 by an RF sputtering method.

As described above, a semiconductor device including an oxidesemiconductor, which has stable electric characteristics, can beprovided. Therefore, a semiconductor device having high reliability canbe provided.

This embodiment can be implemented combining with another embodiment asappropriate.

Embodiment 4

In this embodiment, another embodiment of a semiconductor device and amethod for manufacturing the semiconductor device will be described withreference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. In this embodiment, a transistor will beshown as an example of the semiconductor device. The same portion as ora portion having a function similar to those in the above embodiment canbe formed in a manner similar to that described in the above embodiment,and also the steps similar to those in the above embodiment can beperformed in a manner similar to that described in the above embodiment,and repetitive description is omitted. In addition, detailed descriptionof the same portions is omitted.

There is no particular limitation on the structure of the transistor;for example, a staggered type transistor or a planar type transistorhaving a top-gate structure or a bottom-gate structure can be employed.Further, the transistor may have a single gate structure including onechannel formation region, a double gate structure including two channelformation regions, or a triple gate structure including three channelformation regions. Furthermore, the transistor may have a dual gatestructure including two gate electrode layers positioned over and belowa channel region with a gate insulating layer provided therebetween.

Note that examples of a cross-sectional structure of the transistorshown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are described below. Transistors 430 and 440shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are transistors like the transistors 410, 420,and 450 shown in Embodiments 1 to 3; the transistors 430 and 440 includethe oxide semiconductor layer which is highly purified and from whichimpurities such as hydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, or hydride(also referred to as a hydrogen compound) are intentionally removed.Therefore, variation in the electric characteristics of the transistors430 and 440 is suppressed and the transistor 430 and 440 areelectrically stable. Consequently, a semiconductor device with highreliability can be provided.

The transistor 430 shown in FIG. 4A is a bottom-gate transistor. Thetransistor 430 includes the gate electrode layer 401, the gateinsulating layer 402, the source electrode layer 405 a, the drainelectrode layer 405 b, and the oxide semiconductor layer 403, which areformed over the substrate 400 having an insulating surface. The oxideinsulating layer 407 is provided to cover the transistor 430 and is incontact with the oxide semiconductor layer 403. In addition, theprotective insulating layer 409 is formed over the oxide insulatinglayer 407.

In the transistor 430, the gate insulating layer 402 is provided overand in contact with the substrate 400 and the gate electrode layer 401.The source electrode layer 405 a and the drain electrode layer 405 b areprovided over and in contact with the gate insulating layer 402. Theoxide semiconductor layer 403 is provided over the gate insulating layer402, the source electrode layer 405 a, and the drain electrode layer 405b.

The transistor 440 shown in FIG. 4B is a top-gate transistor. Thetransistor 440 includes the insulating layer 436, the oxidesemiconductor layer 403, the source electrode layer 405 a, the drainelectrode layer 405 b, an oxide insulating layer 467 and a protectiveinsulating layer 468 which form a gate insulating layer, and the gateelectrode layer 401, which are formed over the substrate 400 having aninsulating surface. A wiring layer 465 a and a wiring layer 465 b areprovided to be in contact with and electrically connected to the sourceelectrode layer 405 a and the drain electrode layer 405 b respectively.A protective insulating layer 469 is formed to cover the gate electrodelayer 401, the wiring layer 465 a, and the wiring layer 465 b.

As an oxide semiconductor used for the oxide semiconductor layer 403, afour-component metal oxide such as an In—Sn—Ga—Zn—O-based oxidesemiconductor; a three-component metal oxide such as an In—Ga—Zn—O-basedoxide semiconductor, an In—Sn—Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor, anIn—Al—Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor, a Sn—Ga—Zn—O-based oxidesemiconductor, an Al—Ga—Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor, or aSn—Al—Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor; a two-component metal oxide suchas an In—Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor, a Sn—Zn—O-based oxidesemiconductor, an Al—Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor, a Zn—Mg—O-basedoxide semiconductor, a Sn—Mg—O-based oxide semiconductor, or anIn—Mg—O-based oxide semiconductor; an In—O-based oxide semiconductor; aSn—O-based oxide semiconductor; or a Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor canbe used. Further, SiO₂ may be contained in the above oxidesemiconductor. Here, for example, an In—Ga—Zn—O-based oxidesemiconductor is an oxide containing at least In, Ga, and Zn, and thereis no particular limitation on the composition ratio thereof.Furthermore, In—Ga—Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor may contain an elementother than In, Ga, and Zn.

For the oxide semiconductor layer 403, a thin film represented byInMO₃(ZnO)_(m) (m>0, and m is not a natural number) can be used. Here, Mrepresents one or more metal elements selected from Ga, Al, Mn, and Co.For example, M can be Ga, Ga and Al, Ga and Mn, Ga and Co, or the like.

In the bottom-gate transistor 430, an insulating film serving as a basefilm may be provided between the substrate and the gate electrode layer.The base film has a function of preventing diffusion of an impurityelement from the substrate, and can be formed to have a single-layerstructure or a stacked-layer structure using one or more of a siliconnitride film, a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride oxide film, and asilicon oxynitride film.

The substrate 400, the gate electrode layer 401, the gate insulatinglayer 402, the source electrode layer 405 a, and the drain electrodelayer 405 b can be formed using a material and a method similar to thosein the Embodiment 1.

A material similar to that of the source electrode layer 405 a and thedrain electrode layer 405 b can be used for conductive films such as thewiring layer 465 a and the wiring layer 465 b which are connected to thesource electrode layer 405 a and the drain electrode layer 405 brespectively.

The insulating layer 436 and the oxide insulating layer 467 functioningas a gate insulating layer can be formed using a material similar tothat of the oxide insulating layer 407. Typically, an inorganicinsulating film such as a silicon oxide film or a silicon oxynitridefilm can be used.

For the protective insulating layer 468 functioning as a gate insulatinglayer and the protective insulating layer 469, an inorganic insulatingfilm such as a silicon nitride film, an aluminum nitride film, a siliconnitride oxide film, an aluminum nitride oxide film, or an aluminum oxidefilm can be used.

Further, a planarization insulating film may be formed over theprotective insulating layer 409 so that surface roughness due to thetransistor is reduced. For the planarization insulating film, an organicmaterial such as polyimide, acrylic, or benzocyclobutene can be used.Other than such organic materials, it is also possible to use alow-dielectric constant material (a low-k material) or the like. Notethat the planarization insulating film may be formed by stacking aplurality of insulating films formed from these materials.

In the transistors 430 and 440, the oxide semiconductor layer 403 is anoxide semiconductor layer which is highly purified and from whichimpurities such as hydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, or hydride(also referred to as a hydrogen compound) are intentionally removed byintroducing oxygen through the oxide insulating layers 407 and 467stacked over the oxide semiconductor layer 403 and performing heattreatment. By introducing oxygen, a bond between a metal included in theoxide semiconductor and hydrogen or a bond between the metal and ahydroxyl group is cut, and the hydrogen or the hydroxyl group is reactedwith oxygen to produce water; this leads to easy elimination of hydrogenor a hydroxyl group that is an impurity, as water by the heat treatmentperformed later.

Oxygen is introduced to the oxide semiconductor layer through an oxideinsulating layer stacked over the oxide semiconductor layer, so that anintroduction depth (an introduction region) at which oxygen isintroduced can be controlled and thus oxygen can be efficientlyintroduced to the oxide semiconductor layer.

Each of the oxide insulating layers 407 and 467 containing oxygen is incontact with the oxide semiconductor layer when being subjected to theheat treatment; thus, oxygen which is one of the main component of theoxide semiconductor and is reduced in the step of removing impurities,can be supplied from each of the oxide insulating layers 407 and 467containing oxygen to the oxide semiconductor layer. Thus, the oxidesemiconductor layer 403 is more highly purified to become electricallyi-type (intrinsic).

In each of the transistors 430 and 440 including the highly-purifiedoxide semiconductor layer 403, the current in an off state (theoff-state current) can be small.

The field-effect mobility of the transistors 430 and 440 each includingthe highly-purified oxide semiconductor layer 403 can be relativelyhigh, whereby high-speed operation is possible. For example, when such atransistor which can operate at high speed is used for a liquid crystaldisplay device, a switching transistor in a pixel portion and a drivertransistor in a driver circuit portion can be formed over one substrate.That is, since a semiconductor device formed of a silicon wafer or thelike is not additionally needed as a driver circuit, the number ofcomponents of the semiconductor device can be reduced. In addition, byusing a transistor which can operate at high speed in a pixel portion, ahigh-quality image can be provided.

As described above, a semiconductor device including an oxidesemiconductor, which has stable electric characteristics, can beprovided. Consequently, a semiconductor device with high reliability canbe provided.

Embodiment 5

In this embodiment, another embodiment of the semiconductor device isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1E and FIGS. 5A to 5D. The sameportion as or a portion having a function similar to those in the aboveembodiment can be formed in a manner similar to that described in theabove embodiment, and also the steps similar to those in the aboveembodiment can be performed in a manner similar to that described in theabove embodiment, and repetitive description is omitted. In addition,detailed description of the same portions is omitted.

In this embodiment, an example of a structure in which a sourceelectrode layer and/or a drain electrode layer of a transistor are/isconnected to a conductive layer (such as a wiring layer or a pixelelectrode layer) is shown. Note that in this embodiment, the transistor410 shown in Embodiment 1 is used as a transistor in a description butany other transistors shown in Embodiments 2 to 4 can be used.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the transistor 410 includes the gate electrodelayer 401, the gate insulating layer 402, the oxide semiconductor layer403, the source electrode layer 405 a, and the drain electrode layer 405b, which are formed over the substrate 400 having an insulating surface.The oxide insulating layer 407 and the protective insulating layer 409are stacked over the transistor 410 in this order.

As shown in Embodiment 1, in the manufacturing process of the transistor410, the oxide insulating layer 407 is formed over the oxidesemiconductor layer 403, the source electrode layer 405 a, and the drainelectrode layer 405 b, and the oxygen 421 is introduced to the oxidesemiconductor layer 441 through the oxide insulating layer 407, and heattreatment is performed (see FIG. 1B to 1D). During this oxygenintroduction and heat treatment step, the oxygen 421 reaches and isirradiated (is introduced to the vicinity of a surface) to the sourceelectrode layer 405 a and the drain electrode layer 405 b in addition tothe oxide semiconductor layer 403. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5A, thesurfaces of the source electrode layer 405 a and the drain electrodelayer 405 b irradiated with the oxygen 421 are oxidized, and metal oxideregions 404 a and 404 b are formed between the source electrode layer405 a and the oxide insulating layer 407 and between the drain electrodelayer 405 b and the oxide insulating layer 407 respectively in somecases. The metal oxide regions 404 a and 404 b may be in the form of afilm in some cases.

In the case of FIG. 5A, openings 455 a and 455 b for forming theconductive layer connected to the source electrode layer 405 a and thedrain electrode layer 405 b are preferably formed in the followingmanner: the metal oxide regions 404 a and 404 b having high resistanceare removed; and the openings 455 a and 455 b are formed until thesource electrode layer 405 a and the drain electrode layer 405 b havinglow resistance are exposed (see FIG. 5B). Parts of the protectiveinsulating layer 409, the oxide insulating layer 407, and the meal oxideregions 404 a and 404 b are removed to form the openings 455 a and 455b.

Next, conductive layers 456 a and 456 b are formed to be in contact withthe source electrode layer 405 a and the drain electrode layer 405 bexposed in the openings 455 a and 455 b (see FIG. 5C). The conductivelayers 456 a and 456 b are formed to be directly in contact with thesource electrode layer 405 a and the drain electrode layer 405 b havinglow resistance, not through the metal oxide regions 404 a and 404 bhaving high resistance, so that a favorable electrical connection(electrical contact) can be obtained.

A protective insulating layer 457 may be formed over the conductivelayers 456 a and 456 b as a protective layer to cover the transistor 410(see FIG. 5D). Moreover, by covering the protective insulating layer457, it is possible to prevent impurities such as hydrogen and moisturefrom entering the oxide semiconductor layer 403 from the openings 455 aand 455 b.

In the source electrode layer 405 a and the drain electrode layer 405 b,a conductive film to which oxygen is not easily introduced (typically, atungsten film, a tantalum film, or the like) may be formed on thesurface irradiated with oxygen. For example, when the source electrodelayer 405 a and the drain electrode layer 405 b are formed of a stackedlayer of a titanium film and a tungsten film, and the tungsten film isprovided on the side to which oxygen is introduced, formation of a metaloxide region having high resistance can be suppressed.

As described above, a favorable electrical connection of a transistorcan be obtained, whereby a semiconductor device including an oxidesemiconductor with stable electric characteristics can be provided.Therefore, a semiconductor device with high reliability can be provided.

Embodiment 6

In this embodiment, another embodiment of a semiconductor device and amethod for manufacturing the semiconductor device will be described. Thesame portion as or a portion having a function similar to those in theabove embodiment can be formed in a manner similar to that described inthe above embodiment, and also the steps similar to those in the aboveembodiment can be performed in a manner similar to that described in theabove embodiment, and repetitive description is omitted. In addition,detailed description of the same portions is omitted.

Note that this embodiment can be applied to any of the transistors 410,420, 430, 440, and 450 shown in Embodiments 1 to 5.

In this embodiment, an example of performing heat treatment to the oxidesemiconductor layer before forming the oxide insulating layers 407, 437,426, and 467 contacting with the oxide semiconductor layer, in themethod for manufacturing the transistors 410, 420, 430, 440, and 450 isshown.

This heat treatment may be performed on the oxide semiconductor layerbefore the oxide semiconductor layer is processed into the island-shapedoxide semiconductor layer, as long as the heat treatment is performedafter the formation of the oxide semiconductor layer and before theformation of the oxide insulating layer. In the case of the transistor410, the heat treatment may be performed before or after the formationof the source electrode layer 405 a and the drain electrode layer 405 b.

The temperature of the heat treatment is 400° C. to 750° C. inclusive or400° C. or higher and lower than the strain point of a substrate. Forexample, the substrate is put in an electric furnace which is a kind ofheat treatment apparatus, the oxide semiconductor layer is subjected tothe heat treatment at 450° C. for one hour in a nitrogen atmosphere.After the heat treatment, it is preferable that the oxide insulatinglayer be formed without exposure to the air, and water and hydrogen beprevented from being included in the oxide semiconductor layer again.

Further, a heat treatment apparatus used is not limited to an electricfurnace, and a device for heating a process object by heat conduction orheat radiation from a heating element such as a resistance heatingelement may be alternatively used. For example, an RTA (rapid thermalanneal) apparatus such as a GRTA (gas rapid thermal anneal) apparatus oran LRTA (lamp rapid thermal anneal) apparatus can be used. An LRTAapparatus is an apparatus for heating an object to be processed byradiation of light (an electromagnetic wave) emitted from a lamp such asa halogen lamp, a metal halide lamp, a xenon arc lamp, a carbon arclamp, a high pressure sodium lamp, or a high pressure mercury lamp. AGRTA apparatus is an apparatus for heat treatment using ahigh-temperature gas. As the high-temperature gas, an inert gas whichdoes not react with an object to be treated by heat treatment, such asnitrogen or a rare gas like argon, is used.

For example, as the heat treatment, GRTA may be performed as follows.The substrate is put in an inert gas heated at high temperature of 650°C. to 700° C., is heated for several minutes, and is taken out of theinert gas.

The heat treatment may be performed under an atmosphere of nitrogen,oxygen, ultra-dry air (air in which a water content is 20 ppm or lower,preferably 1 ppm or lower, more preferably 10 ppb or lower), or a raregas (argon, helium, or the like). Note that it is preferable that water,hydrogen, or the like be not contained in the atmosphere of nitrogen,oxygen, ultra-dry air, or rare gas. It is also preferable that thepurity of nitrogen, oxygen, or the a rare gas which is introduced into aheat treatment apparatus be set to be 6N (99.9999%) or higher,preferably 7N (99.99999%) or higher (that is, the impurity concentrationis 1 ppm or lower, preferably 0.1 ppm or lower).

With this heat treatment, impurities such as moisture or hydrogen in theoxide semiconductor layer can be reduced.

Moreover, by forming the oxide insulating layer over the oxidesemiconductor layer and introducing oxygen to the semiconductor layerthrough the oxide insulating layer, a bond between a metal included inthe oxide semiconductor layer and hydrogen, or a bond between the metaland a hydroxyl group is cut, and the hydrogen or the hydroxyl groupreacts with oxygen to produce water. Then, the heat treatment is furtherperformed after the introduction of oxygen, whereby impurities such ashydrogen or a hydroxyl group left can be easily eliminated as water.

The oxide semiconductor layer and the oxide insulating layer containingoxygen are in contact with each other when being subjected to the heattreatment; thus, oxygen which is one of the major component of the oxidesemiconductor and is reduced in the step of removing impurities, can besupplied from the oxide insulating layer containing oxygen to the oxidesemiconductor layer.

Thus, when the oxide semiconductor layer is subjected to the heattreatment performed before forming the oxide insulating layer, and theheat treatment performed after forming the oxide insulating layer andthe oxygen introduction, an i-type (intrinsic) oxide semiconductor layeror a substantially i-type oxide semiconductor layer from whichimpurities such as moisture and hydrogen are eliminated, can beobtained.

Consequently, variation in the electric characteristics of thetransistor including the highly-purified oxide semiconductor layer issuppressed and the transistor is electrically stable. Therefore, asemiconductor device with high reliability can be provided.

Embodiment 7

A semiconductor device (also referred to as a display device) with adisplay function can be manufactured using the transistor an example ofwhich is described in any of Embodiments 1 to 6. Some or all of drivercircuits including the transistors can be formed over a substrate wherea pixel portion is formed, whereby a system-on-panel can be obtained.

In FIG. 6A, a sealant 4005 is provided to surround a pixel portion 4002provided over a first substrate 4001, and the pixel portion 4002 issealed with the sealant 4005 and the second substrate 4006. In FIG. 6A,a scan line driver circuit 4004 and a signal line driver circuit 4003each are formed using a single crystal semiconductor film or apolycrystalline semiconductor film over a substrate prepared separately,and mounted in a region different from the region surrounded by thesealant 4005 over the first substrate 4001. Various signals andpotentials are supplied to the signal line driver circuit 4003 and thescan line driver circuit 4004 each of which is separately formed, andthe pixel portion 4002, from flexible printed circuits (FPCs) 4018 a and4018 b.

In FIGS. 6B and 6C, the sealant 4005 is provided to surround the pixelportion 4002 and the scan line driver circuit 4004 which are providedover the first substrate 4001. The second substrate 4006 is providedover the pixel portion 4002 and the scan line driver circuit 4004. Thus,the pixel portion 4002 and the scan line driver circuit 4004 are sealedtogether with a display element, by the first substrate 4001, thesealant 4005, and the second substrate 4006. In FIGS. 6B and 6C, thesignal line driver circuit 4003 is formed using a single crystalsemiconductor film or a polycrystalline semiconductor film over asubstrate prepared separately, and mounted in a region different fromthe region surrounded by the sealant 4005 over the first substrate 4001.In FIGS. 6B and 6C, various signals and potentials are supplied to theseparately formed signal line driver circuit 4003, the scan line drivercircuit 4004, and the pixel portion 4002, from an FPC 4018.

Although FIGS. 6B and 6C each show the example in which the signal linedriver circuit 4003 is formed separately and mounted on the firstsubstrate 4001, the present invention is not limited to this structure.The scan line driver circuit may be separately formed and then mounted,or only part of the signal line driver circuit or part of the scan linedriver circuit may be separately formed and then mounted.

Note that a method for connecting a separately formed driver circuit isnot particularly limited, and a chip on glass (COG) method, a wirebonding method, a tape automated bonding (TAB) method, or the like canbe used. FIG. 6A shows an example in which the signal line drivercircuit 4003 and the scan line driver circuit 4004 are mounted by a COGmethod. FIG. 6B shows an example in which the signal line driver circuit4003 is mounted by a COG method. FIG. 6C shows an example in which thesignal line driver circuit 4003 is mounted by a TAB method.

The display device includes in its category a panel in which a displayelement is sealed, and a module in which an IC such as a controller ismounted on the panel.

Note that a display device in this specification means an image displaydevice, a display device, or a light source (including a lightingdevice). The display device also includes the following modules in itscategory: a module to which a connector such as an FPC, a TAB tape, or aTCP is attached; a module having a TAB tape or a TCP at the tip of whicha printed wiring board is provided; and a module in which an integratedcircuit (IC) is directly mounted on a display element by a COG method.

The pixel portion and the scan line driver circuit provided over thefirst substrate include a plurality of transistors and any of thetransistors which are described in Embodiments 1 to 6 can be applied.

As the display element provided in the display device, a liquid crystalelement (also referred to as a liquid crystal display element) or alight-emitting element (also referred to as a light-emitting displayelement) can be used. The light-emitting element includes, in itscategory, an element whose luminance is controlled by a current orvoltage, and specifically includes, in its category, an inorganicelectroluminescent (EL) element, an organic EL element, and the like.Furthermore, a display medium whose contrast is changed by an electriceffect, such as electronic ink, can be used.

One embodiment of the semiconductor device is described with referenceto FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9. FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 correspond tocross-sectional views taken along line M-N in FIG. 6B.

As shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, the semiconductor device includes aconnection terminal electrode 4015 and a terminal electrode 4016. Theconnection terminal electrode 4015 and the terminal electrode 4016 areelectrically connected to a terminal included in the FPC 4018 through ananisotropic conductive film 4019.

The connection terminal electrode 4015 is formed of the same conductivefilm as a first electrode layer 4030. The terminal electrode 4016 isformed of the same conductive film as a source electrode layer and adrain electrode layer of transistors 4010 and 4011.

Each of the pixel portion 4002 and the scan line driver circuit 4004provided over the first substrate 4001 includes a plurality oftransistors. In FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, the transistor 4010 included in thepixel portion 4002 and the transistor 4011 included in the scan linedriver circuit 4004 are shown as an example. In FIG. 7, an oxideinsulating layer 4020 and a protective insulating layer 4024 are formedover the transistors 4010 and 4011. In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, an insulatinglayer 4021 is further provided. Note that an insulating layer 4023 is aninsulating film serving as a base film.

In this embodiment, any of the transistors shown in Embodiments 1 to 6can be applied to the transistors 4010 and 4011.

In the transistors 4010 and 4011, the oxide semiconductor layer is anoxide semiconductor layer which is highly purified and from whichimpurities such as hydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, or hydride(also referred to as a hydrogen compound) are intentionally removed byintroducing oxygen through the oxide insulating layer 4020 stacked overthe oxide semiconductor layer and performing heat treatment. Byintroducing oxygen, a bond between a metal included in the oxidesemiconductor and hydrogen or a bond between the metal and a hydroxylgroup is cut, and the hydrogen or the hydroxyl group is reacted withoxygen to produce water; this leads to easy elimination of hydrogen or ahydroxyl group that is an impurity, as water by the heat treatmentperformed later.

Oxygen is introduced to the oxide semiconductor layer through the oxideinsulating layer 4020 stacked over the oxide semiconductor layer, sothat an introduction (an introduction region) depth at which oxygen isintroduced can be controlled and thus oxygen can be efficientlyintroduced to the oxide semiconductor layer.

The oxide semiconductor layer and the oxide insulating layer 4020containing oxygen are in contact with each other when being subjected tothe heat treatment; thus, oxygen, which is one of the major component ofthe oxide semiconductor and is reduced in the step of removingimpurities, can be supplied from the oxide insulating layer 4020containing oxygen to the oxide semiconductor layer. Thus, the oxidesemiconductor layer is more highly purified to become electricallyi-type (intrinsic).

Consequently, variation in the electric characteristics of thetransistors 4010 and 4011 each including the highly-purified oxidesemiconductor layer is suppressed and the transistors 4010 and 4011 areelectrically stable. As described above, a semiconductor device withhigh reliability as the semiconductor devices shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 9can be obtained.

In this embodiment, examples are shown in which a conductive layer isprovided over the insulating layer 4024 so as to overlap with a channelformation region of the oxide semiconductor layer of the transistor 4011for the driver circuit. The conductive layer is provided at the positionoverlapping with the channel formation region of the oxide semiconductorlayer, whereby the amount of change in the threshold voltage of thetransistor 4011 between before and after a BT test can be furtherreduced. The conductive layer may have the same potential as or apotential different from that of a gate electrode layer of thetransistor 4011, and can function as a second gate electrode layer. Thepotential of the conductive layer may be GND, 0 V, or in a floatingstate.

In addition, the conductive layer functions to block an externalelectric field, that is, to prevent an external electric field(particularly, to prevent static electricity) from effecting the inside(a circuit portion including a thin film transistor). A blockingfunction of the conductive layer can prevent variation in electriccharacteristics of the transistor due to the effect of external electricfield such as static electricity.

The transistor 4010 provided in the pixel portion 4002 is electricallyconnected to the display element to constitute a display panel. Avariety of display elements can be used as the display element as longas display can be performed.

An example of a liquid crystal display device using a liquid crystalelement as a display element is shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, a liquidcrystal element 4013 is a display element including the first electrodelayer 4030, a second electrode layer 4031, an insulating layer 4032, aninsulating layer 4033, and a liquid crystal layer 4008. Note that theinsulating layers 4032 and 4033 serving as alignment films are providedso that the liquid crystal layer 4008 is interposed therebetween. Thesecond electrode layer 4031 is formed on the second substrate 4006 side.The first electrode layer 4030 and the second electrode layer 4031 arestacked with the liquid crystal layer 4008 interposed therebetween.

A columnar spacer denoted by reference numeral 4035 is obtained byselective etching of an insulating film and is provided in order tocontrol the thickness (a cell gap) of the liquid crystal layer 4008.Alternatively, a spherical spacer may also be used.

In the case where a liquid crystal element is used as the displayelement, a thermotropic liquid crystal, a low-molecular liquid crystal,a high-molecular liquid crystal, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal, aferroelectric liquid crystal, an anti-ferroelectric liquid crystal, orthe like can be used. Such a liquid crystal material exhibits acholesteric phase, a smectic phase, a cubic phase, a chiral nematicphase, an isotropic phase, or the like depending on conditions.

Alternatively, liquid crystal exhibiting a blue phase for which analignment film is unnecessary may be used. A blue phase is one of liquidcrystal phases generated just before a cholesteric phase changes into anisotropic phase while temperature of cholesteric liquid crystal isincreased. Since the blue phase appears only in a narrow temperaturerange, a liquid crystal composition in which 5 wt % or more of a chiralmaterial is mixed is used for the liquid crystal layer in order toimprove the temperature range. The liquid crystal composition whichincludes a liquid crystal showing a blue phase and a chiral agent has ashort response time of 1 msec or less, has optical isotropy, which makesthe alignment process unneeded, and has a small viewing angledependence. In addition, since an alignment film does not need to beprovided and rubbing treatment is unnecessary, electrostatic dischargedamage caused by the rubbing treatment can be prevented and defects anddamage of the liquid crystal display device can be reduced in themanufacturing process. Thus, productivity of the liquid crystal displaydevice can be increased. A transistor using an oxide semiconductor layerhas the possibility that electrical characteristics of the transistormay significantly change and deviate from the designed range by theinfluence of static electricity. Therefore, it is more effective to usea liquid crystal material exhibiting a blue phase for the liquid crystaldisplay device including a transistor which uses an oxide semiconductorlayer.

The specific resistivity of the liquid crystal material is 1×10⁹ Ω·cm ormore, preferably 1×10¹¹ Ω·cm or more, more preferably 1×10¹² Ω·cm ormore. Note that the specific resistivity in this specification ismeasured at 20° C.

The size of a storage capacitor provided in the liquid crystal displaydevice is set considering the leakage current of the transistor providedin the pixel portion or the like so that charge can be held for apredetermined period. The size of the storage capacitor may be setconsidering the off-state current of the transistor or the like. Sincethe transistor including a high-purity oxide semiconductor layer isused, a storage capacitor having capacitance which is ⅓ or less,preferably ⅕ or less with respect to a liquid crystal capacitance ofeach pixel is sufficient to be provided.

In the transistor used in this embodiment, which uses a highly-purifiedoxide semiconductor layer, the current in an off state (the off-statecurrent) can be made small. Therefore, an electrical signal such as animage signal can be held for a long period, and a writing interval canbe set long when the power is on. Consequently, frequency of refreshoperation can be reduced, which leads to an effect of suppressing powerconsumption.

The field-effect mobility of the transistor including a highly-purifiedoxide semiconductor layer used in this embodiment can be relativelyhigh, whereby high-speed operation is possible. For example, when such atransistor which can operate at high speed is used for a liquid crystaldisplay device, a switching transistor in a pixel portion and a drivertransistor in a driver circuit portion can be formed over one substrate.That is, since a semiconductor device formed of a silicon wafer or thelike is not additionally needed as a driver circuit, the number ofcomponents of the semiconductor device can be reduced. In addition, byusing a transistor which can operate at high speed in a pixel portion, ahigh-quality image can be provided.

For the liquid crystal display device, a twisted nematic (TN) mode, anin-plane-switching (IPS) mode, a fringe field switching (FFS) mode, anaxially symmetric aligned micro-cell (ASM) mode, an optical compensatedbirefringence (OCB) mode, a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) mode, anantiferroelectric liquid crystal (AFLC) mode, and the like can be used.

A normally black liquid crystal display device such as a transmissiveliquid crystal display device utilizing a vertical alignment (VA) modeis preferable. Some examples are given as a vertical alignment mode, forexample, a multi-domain vertical alignment (MVA) mode, a patternedvertical alignment (PVA) mode, an ASV mode can be employed. Further,this embodiment can be applied to a VA liquid crystal display device.The VA liquid crystal display device has a kind of form in whichalignment of liquid crystal molecules of a liquid crystal display panelis controlled. In the VA liquid crystal display device, liquid crystalmolecules are aligned in a vertical direction with respect to a panelsurface when no voltage is applied. Moreover, it is possible to use amethod called domain multiplication or multi-domain design, in which apixel is divided into some regions (subpixels) and molecules are alignedin different directions in their respective regions.

In the display device, a black matrix (a light-blocking layer), anoptical member (an optical substrate) such as a polarizing member, aretardation member, or an anti-reflection member, and the like areprovided as appropriate. For example, circular polarization may beobtained by using a polarizing substrate and a retardation substrate. Abacklight, a side light, or the like may be used as a light source.

As a display method in the pixel portion, a progressive method, aninterlace method, or the like can be employed. Color elements controlledin a pixel at the time of color display are not limited to three colors:R, G, and B (R, G, and B correspond to red, green, and bluerespectively). For example, R, G, B, and W (W corresponds to white), orR, G, B, and one or more of yellow, cyan, magenta, and the like can beused. The sizes of display regions may be different between respectivedots of color elements. Note that the present invention is not limitedto the application to a display device for color display but can also beapplied to a display device for monochrome display.

Alternatively, as the display element included in the display device, alight-emitting element utilizing electroluminescence can be used.Light-emitting elements utilizing electroluminescence are classifiedaccording to whether a light-emitting material is an organic compound oran inorganic compound. In general, the former is referred to as anorganic EL element, and the latter is referred to as an inorganic ELelement.

In an organic EL element, by application of voltage to a light-emittingelement, electrons and holes are separately injected from a pair ofelectrodes into a layer containing a light-emitting organic compound,and current flows. The carriers (electrons and holes) are recombined,and thus the light-emitting organic compound is excited. Thelight-emitting organic compound returns to a ground state from theexcited state, thereby emitting light. Owing to such a mechanism, such alight-emitting element is referred to as a current-excitationlight-emitting element.

The inorganic EL elements are classified according to their elementstructures into a dispersion-type inorganic EL element and a thin-filminorganic EL element. A dispersion-type inorganic EL element has alight-emitting layer where particles of a light-emitting material aredispersed in a binder, and its light emission mechanism isdonor-acceptor recombination type light emission that utilizes a donorlevel and an acceptor level. A thin-film inorganic EL element has astructure where a light-emitting layer is sandwiched between dielectriclayers, which are further sandwiched between electrodes, and its lightemission mechanism is localized type light emission that utilizesinner-shell electron transition of metal ions. Note that an example ofan organic EL element as a light-emitting element is described here.

In order to extract light emitted from the light-emitting element, it isacceptable as long as at least one of a pair of electrodes istransparent. Then a transistor and a light-emitting element are formedover a substrate. The light-emitting element can have any of thefollowing structure: a top emission structure in which light isextracted through the surface opposite to the substrate; a bottomemission structure in which light is extracted through the surface onthe substrate side; or a dual emission structure in which light isextracted through the surface opposite to the substrate and the surfaceon the substrate side.

An example of a light-emitting device using a light-emitting element asa display element is shown in FIG. 8. A light-emitting element 4513which is a display element is electrically connected to the transistor4010 provided in the pixel portion 4002. The light-emitting element 4513has a stacked-layer structure of the first electrode layer 4030, anelectroluminescent layer 4511, and the second electrode layer 4031 butis not limited to this structure. The structure of the light-emittingelement 4513 can be changed as appropriate depending on a direction inwhich light is extracted from the light-emitting element 4513, or thelike.

A partition wall 4510 can be formed using an organic insulating materialor an inorganic insulating material. It is particularly preferable thatthe partition wall 4510 be formed using a photosensitive resin materialto have an opening portion over the first electrode layer 4030 so that asidewall of the opening portion is formed as a tilted surface withcontinuous curvature.

The electroluminescent layer 4511 may be formed with either a singlelayer or a stacked layer of a plurality of layers.

A protective film may be formed over the second electrode layer 4031 andthe partition wall 4510 in order to prevent entry of oxygen, hydrogen,moisture, carbon dioxide, or the like into the light-emitting element4513. As the protective film, a silicon nitride film, a silicon nitrideoxide film, a DLC film, or the like can be formed. In a space sealedwith the first substrate 4001, the second substrate 4006, and thesealant 4005, a filler 4514 is provided and tightly sealed. It ispreferable that the light-emitting element be packaged (sealed) with acover material with high air-tightness and little degasification or aprotective film (such as a laminate film or an ultraviolet curable resinfilm) so that the light-emitting element is not exposed to the outsideair, in this manner.

As the filler 4514, an ultraviolet curable resin or a thermosettingresin can be used as well as an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon, andpolyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylic, polyimide, an epoxy resin, a siliconeresin, polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), or thelike can be used. For example, nitrogen is used for the filler.

If needed, an optical film, such as a polarizing plate, a circularlypolarizing plate (including an elliptically polarizing plate), aretardation plate (a quarter-wave plate or a half-wave plate), or acolor filter, may be provided as appropriate on a light-emitting surfaceof the light-emitting element. Further, the polarizing plate or thecircularly polarizing plate may be provided with an anti-reflectionfilm. For example, anti-glare treatment by which reflected light can bediffused by projections and depressions on the surface so as to reducethe glare can be performed.

An electronic paper in which electronic ink is driven can be provided asthe display device. The electronic paper is also called anelectrophoretic display device (electrophoretic display) and hasadvantages in that it has the same level of readability as regularpaper, it has less power consumption than other display devices, and itcan be set to have a thin and light form.

An electrophoretic display device can have various modes. Anelectrophoretic display device contains a plurality of microcapsulesdispersed in a solvent or a solute, each microcapsule containing firstparticles which are positively charged and second particles which arenegatively charged. By applying an electric field to the microcapsules,the particles in the microcapsules move in opposite directions to eachother and only the color of the particles gathering on one side isdisplayed. Note that the first particles and the second particles eachcontain pigment and do not move without an electric field. Moreover, thefirst particles and the second particles have different colors (whichmay be colorless).

Thus, an electrophoretic display device is a display device thatutilizes a so-called dielectrophoretic effect by which a substancehaving a high dielectric constant moves to a high-electric field region.

A solution in which the above microcapsules are dispersed in a solventis referred to as electronic ink. This electronic ink can be printed ona surface of glass, plastic, cloth, paper, or the like. Furthermore, byusing a color filter or particles that have a pigment, color display canalso be achieved.

Note that the first particles and the second particles in themicrocapsules may each be formed of a single material selected from aconductive material, an insulating material, a semiconductor material, amagnetic material, a liquid crystal material, a ferroelectric material,an electroluminescent material, an electrochromic material, and amagnetophoretic material, or formed of a composite material of any ofthese.

As an electronic paper, a display device using a twisting ball displaymethod can be used. The twisting ball display method refers to a methodin which spherical particles each colored in white and black arearranged between a first electrode layer and a second electrode layerwhich are electrode layers used for a display element, and a potentialdifference is generated between the first electrode layer and the secondelectrode layer to control orientation of the spherical particles, sothat display is performed.

FIG. 9 shows an active matrix electronic paper as one embodiment of asemiconductor device. The electronic paper in FIG. 9 is an example of adisplay device using a twisting ball display method. The twist balldisplay method refers to a method in which spherical particles eachcolored in white and black are arranged between electrode layersincluded in a display element, and a potential difference is generatedbetween the electrode layers to control the orientation of the sphericalparticles, so that display is performed.

Between the first electrode layer 4030 connected to the transistor 4010and the second electrode layer 4031 provided on the second substrate4006, spherical particles 4613 each of which includes a black region4615 a, a white region 4615 b, and a cavity 4612 around the regionswhich is filled with liquid, are provided. A space around the sphericalparticles 4613 is filled with a filler 4614 such as a resin. The secondelectrode layer 4031 corresponds to a common electrode (counterelectrode). The second electrode layer 4031 is electrically connected toa common potential line.

Note that in FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, a flexible substrate as well as a glasssubstrate can be used as the first substrate 4001 and the secondsubstrate 4006. For example, a plastic substrate havinglight-transmitting properties can be used. For plastic, afiberglass-reinforced plastics (FRP) plate, a polyvinyl fluoride (PVF)film, a polyester film, or an acrylic resin film can be used. A sheetwith a structure in which an aluminum foil is sandwiched between PVFfilms or polyester films can also be used.

The oxide insulating layer 4020 and the protective insulating layer 4024function as protective films of a transistor.

In addition, the oxide insulating layer 4020 has a function of supplyingthe oxide semiconductor layer with oxygen which is reduced in the stepof removing impurities such as hydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, andhydride.

As the oxide insulating layer 4020, an insulating layer containing muchoxygen such as a silicon oxide layer, a silicon oxynitride layer may beformed by a sputtering method.

Note that the protective insulating layer 4024 prevents contaminantimpurities such as an organic substance, a metal, or water vaporincluded in the atmosphere from entering; thus, a dense film ispreferably used for the protective insulating layer 4024. As theprotective insulating layer 4024, a single layer or a stacked layer of asilicon nitride film, a silicon oxynitride film, an aluminum oxide film,an aluminum nitride film, an aluminum oxynitride film, or an aluminumnitride oxide film may be formed by a sputtering method.

The insulating layer 4021 serving as a planarizing insulating film canbe formed using an organic material having heat resistance, such asacrylic, polyimide, benzocyclobutene, polyamide, or epoxy. Other thansuch organic materials, it is also possible to use a low-dielectricconstant material (a low-k material), a siloxane-based resin, PSG(phosphosilicate glass), BPSG (borophosphosilicate glass), or the like.Note that the insulating layer may be formed by stacking a plurality ofinsulating films formed of these materials.

There is no particular limitation on the method for forming the oxideinsulating layer 4020, the protective insulating layer 4024, and theinsulating layer 4021, and any of the following can be used depending ona material thereof: a method such as a sputtering method, an SOG method,spin coating, dipping, spray coating, or a droplet discharging method(e.g., an inkjet method, screen printing, or offset printing); a tool(equipment) such as doctor knife, roll coater, curtain coater, or knifecoater; or the like.

The display device performs display by transmitting light from a lightsource or a display element. Thus, the substrates and the thin filmssuch as insulating films and conductive films provided in the pixelportion where light is transmitted have light-transmitting propertieswith respect to light in the visible-light wavelength range.

The first electrode layer 4030 and the second electrode layer 4031 (eachof which may be called a pixel electrode layer, a common electrodelayer, a counter electrode layer, or the like) for applying voltage tothe display element may have light-transmitting properties orlight-reflecting properties, which depends on the direction in whichlight is extracted, the position where the electrode layer is provided,and the pattern structure of the electrode layer.

A light-transmitting conductive material such as indium oxide containingtungsten oxide, indium zinc oxide containing tungsten oxide, indiumoxide containing titanium oxide, indium tin oxide containing titaniumoxide, indium tin oxide (hereinafter referred to as ITO), indium zincoxide, or indium tin oxide to which silicon oxide is added, can be usedfor the first electrode layer 4030 and the second electrode layer 4031.

The first electrode layer 4030 and the second electrode layer 4031 canbe formed using one kind or plural kinds selected from metal such astungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), vanadium(V), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), nickel(Ni), titanium (Ti), platinum (Pt), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), orsilver (Ag); an alloy thereof and a nitride thereof.

A conductive composition containing a conductive high molecule (alsoreferred to as a conductive polymer) can be used for the first electrodelayer 4030 and the second electrode layer 4031. As the conductive highmolecule, a so-called 7 c-electron conjugated conductive polymer can beused. For example, polyaniline or a derivative thereof, polypyrrole or aderivative thereof, polythiophene or a derivative thereof, a copolymerof two or more of aniline, pyrrole, and thiophene or a derivativethereof can be given.

Since the transistor is easily broken due to static electricity or thelike, a protective circuit for protecting the driver circuit ispreferably provided. The protective circuit is preferably formed using anonlinear element.

As described above, by using any of the transistors shown in Embodiments1 to 6, a semiconductor device having a variety of functions can beprovided.

Embodiment 8

When any of the transistors shown in Embodiments 1 to 6 is used, asemiconductor device having an image sensor function for reading data ofan object can be manufactured.

FIG. 10A shows an example of a semiconductor device having an imagesensor function. FIG. 10A is an equivalent circuit of a photo sensor andFIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view showing part of the photo sensor.

In a photodiode 602, one electrode is electrically connected to aphotodiode reset signal line 658, and the other electrode iselectrically connected to a gate of a transistor 640. One of a sourceand a drain of the transistor 640 is electrically connected to a photosensor reference signal line 672, and the other of the source and thedrain thereof is electrically connected to one of a source and a drainof a transistor 656. A gate of the transistor 656 is electricallyconnected to a gate signal line 659, and the other of the source and thedrain thereof is electrically connected to a photo sensor output signalline 671.

Note that in circuit diagrams in this specification, a transistor usingan oxide semiconductor layer is denoted by a symbol “OS” so that it canbe identified as a transistors including an oxide semiconductor layer.In FIG. 10A, the transistor 640 and the transistor 656 are transistorsusing an oxide semiconductor layer.

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the photodiode 602 and thetransistor 640 in a photo sensor. The photodiode 602 functioning as asensor and the transistor 640 are provided over a substrate 601 (a TFTsubstrate) having an insulating surface. A substrate 613 is providedover the photodiode 602 and the transistor 640 with an adhesive layer608 interposed therebetween.

An insulating layer 631, a protective insulating layer 632, aninterlayer insulating layer 633, and an interlayer insulating layer 634are provided over the transistor 640. The photodiode 602 is providedover the interlayer insulating layer 633. In the photodiode 602, a firstsemiconductor layer 606 a, a second semiconductor layer 606 b, and athird semiconductor layer 606 c are sequentially stacked from theinterlayer insulating layer 633 side, between an electrode layer 641formed over the interlayer insulating layer 633 and an electrode layer642 formed over the interlayer insulating layer 634.

The electrode layer 641 is electrically connected to a conductive layer643 formed in the interlayer insulating layer 634, and the electrodelayer 642 is electrically connected to a gate electrode layer 645through the electrode layer 644. The gate electrode layer 645 iselectrically connected to a gate electrode layer of the transistor 640,and the photodiode 602 is electrically connected to the transistor 640.

Here, a PIN photodiode in which a semiconductor layer having p-typeconductivity as the first semiconductor layer 606 a, a high-resistancesemiconductor layer (i-type semiconductor layer) as the secondsemiconductor layer 606 b, and a semiconductor layer having n-typeconductivity as the third semiconductor layer 606 c are stacked is shownas an example.

The first semiconductor layer 606 a is a p-type semiconductor layer andcan be formed using an amorphous silicon film containing an impurityelement imparting p-type conductivity. The first semiconductor layer 606a is formed by a plasma CVD method with use of a semiconductor sourcegas containing an impurity element belonging to Group 13 (such as boron(B)). As the semiconductor source gas, silane (SiH₄) may be used.Alternatively, Si₂H₆, SiH₂Cl₂, SiHCl₃, SiCl₄, SiF₄, or the like may beused. Further alternatively, an amorphous silicon film which does notcontain an impurity element may be formed, and then, an impurity elementmay be introduced to the amorphous silicon film with use of a diffusionmethod or an ion implantation method. Heating or the like may beconducted after introducing the impurity element by an ion implantationmethod or the like in order to diffuse the impurity element. In thiscase, as a method for forming the amorphous silicon film, an LPCVDmethod, a vapor film formation method, a sputtering method, or the likemay be used. The first semiconductor layer 606 a is preferably formed tohave a thickness of 10 nm to 50 nm inclusive.

The second semiconductor layer 606 b is an i-type semiconductor layer(intrinsic semiconductor layer) and is formed using an amorphous siliconfilm. As for formation of the second semiconductor layer 606 b, anamorphous silicon film is formed with use of a semiconductor source gasby a plasma CVD method. As the semiconductor source gas, silane (SiH₄)may be used. Alternatively, Si₂H₆, SiH₂Cl₂, SiHCl₃, SiCl₄, SiF₄, or thelike may be used. The second semiconductor layer 606 b may bealternatively formed by an LPCVD method, a vapor film formation method,a sputtering method, or the like. The second semiconductor layer 606 bis preferably formed to have a thickness of 200 nm to 1000 nm inclusive.

The third semiconductor layer 606 c is an n-type semiconductor layer andis formed using an amorphous silicon film containing an impurity elementimparting n-type conductivity. The third semiconductor layer 606 c isformed by a plasma CVD method with use of a semiconductor source gascontaining an impurity element belonging to Group 15 (e.g., phosphorus(P)). As the semiconductor source gas, silane (SiH₄) may be used.Alternatively, Si₂H₆, SiH₂Cl₂, SiHCl₃, SiCl₄, SiF₄, or the like may beused. Further alternatively, an amorphous silicon film which does notcontain an impurity element may be formed, and then, an impurity elementmay be introduced to the amorphous silicon film with use of a diffusionmethod or an ion implantation method. Heating or the like may beconducted after introducing the impurity element by an ion implantationmethod or the like in order to diffuse the impurity element. In thiscase, as a method for forming the amorphous silicon film, an LPCVDmethod, a vapor film formation method, a sputtering method, or the likemay be used. The third semiconductor layer 606 c is preferably formed tohave a thickness of 20 nm to 200 nm inclusive.

The first semiconductor layer 606 a, the second semiconductor layer 606b, and the third semiconductor layer 606 c are not necessarily formedusing an amorphous semiconductor, and they may be formed using apolycrystalline semiconductor, a microcrystalline semiconductor (asemi-amorphous semiconductor (SAS)).

The microcrystalline semiconductor belongs to a metastable state of anintermediate between amorphous and single crystalline when Gibbs freeenergy is considered. That is, the microcrystalline semiconductor is asemiconductor having a third state which is stable in terms of freeenergy and has a short range order and lattice distortion. Columnar-likeor needle-like crystals grow in a normal direction with respect to asubstrate surface. The Raman spectrum of microcrystalline silicon, whichis a typical example of a microcrystalline semiconductor, is located inlower wave numbers than 520 cm⁻¹, which represents a peak of the Ramanspectrum of single crystal silicon. That is, the peak of the Ramanspectrum of the microcrystalline silicon exists between 520 cm⁻¹ whichrepresents single crystal silicon and 480 cm⁻¹ which representsamorphous silicon. In addition, the microcrystalline silicon containshydrogen or halogen of at least 1 at. % or more in order to terminate adangling bond. Moreover, the microcrystalline silicon contains a raregas element such as helium, argon, krypton, or neon to further promotelattice distortion, so that stability is increased and a favorablemicrocrystalline semiconductor film can be obtained.

This microcrystalline semiconductor film can be formed by ahigh-frequency plasma CVD method with a frequency of several tens toseveral hundreds of megahertz or a microwave plasma CVD method with afrequency of 1 GHz or more. Typically, the microcrystallinesemiconductor film can be formed using silicon hydride such as SiH₄,Si₂H₆, SiH₂Cl₂, SiHCl₃, SiCl₄, or SiF₄, which is diluted with hydrogen.With a dilution with one kind or plural kinds of rare gas elementsselected from helium, argon, krypton, or neon in addition to siliconhydride and hydrogen, the microcrystalline semiconductor film can beformed. In that case, the flow ratio of hydrogen to silicon hydride is5:1 to 200:1, preferably 50:1 to 150:1, more preferably 100:1. Further,a carbide gas such as CH₄ or C₂H₆, a germanium gas such as GeH₄ or GeF₄,F₂, or the like may be mixed into the gas containing silicon.

Since the mobility of holes generated by the photoelectric effect islower than that of electrons, a PIN photodiode has bettercharacteristics when a surface on the p-type semiconductor layer side isused as a light-receiving plane. Here, an example where light 622received by the photodiode 602 from a surface of the substrate 601, overwhich a PIN photodiode is formed, is converted into electric signalswill be described. Light approaching the semiconductor layer side havinga conductivity type opposite from that of the semiconductor layer sideon the light-receiving plane is disturbance light; therefore, theelectrode layer is preferably formed from a light-blocking conductivefilm. A surface of the n-type semiconductor layer side can alternativelybe used as the light-receiving plane.

With the use of an insulating material, the insulating layer 631, theprotective insulating layer 632, the interlayer insulating layer 633,and the interlayer insulating layer 634 can be formed, depending on thematerial, with a method such as a sputtering method, an SOG method, spincoating, dipping, spray coating, or a droplet discharge method (e.g., aninkjet method, screen printing, offset printing, or the like), or a tool(equipment) such as a doctor knife, a roll coater, a curtain coater, ora knife coater.

As the insulating layer 631, a single layer or a stacked layer of anoxide insulating layer such as a silicon oxide layer, a siliconoxynitride layer, an aluminum oxide layer, an aluminum oxynitride layer,or the like can be used.

As an inorganic insulating material of the protective insulating layer632, a single layer or a stacked layer of a nitride insulating layersuch as a silicon nitride layer, a silicon nitride oxide layer, analuminum nitride layer, an aluminum nitride oxide layer, or the like canbe used. High-density plasma CVD with use of microwaves (2.45 GHz) ispreferably employed since formation of a dense and high-qualityinsulating layer having high breakdown voltage is possible.

For reduction of the surface roughness, an insulating layer functioningas a planarization insulating film is preferably used as the interlayerinsulating layers 633 and 634. For the interlayer insulating layers 633and 634, an organic insulating material having heat resistance such aspolyimide, acrylic resin, benzocyclobutene resin, polyamide, or epoxyresin can be used. Other than such organic insulating materials, it ispossible to use a single layer or stacked layers of a low-dielectricconstant material (a low-k material), a siloxane-based resin,phosphosilicate glass (PSG), borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG), or thelike.

By detecting light 622 entering the photodiode 602, data of an objectcan be read. Note that a light source such as a backlight can be used atthe time of reading data of an object.

Transistors shown as an example in Embodiments 1 to 6 can be used as thetransistor 640. A transistor including an oxide layer highly purified byintentionally eliminating impurities such as hydrogen, moisture, ahydroxyl group, or hydride (also referred to as a hydrogen compound)from an oxide semiconductor layer has a suppressed variation in electriccharacteristics and is electrically stable. Consequently, asemiconductor device with high reliability can be provided.

This embodiment can be implemented in appropriate combination with thestructures described in the other embodiments.

Embodiment 9

A liquid crystal display device disclosed in this specification can beapplied to a variety of electronic devices (including game machines).Examples of electronic devices are a television set (also referred to asa television or a television receiver), a monitor of a computer or thelike, a camera such as a digital camera or a digital video camera, adigital photo frame, a mobile phone handset (also referred to as amobile phone or a mobile phone device), a portable game machine, aportable information terminal, an audio reproducing device, alarge-sized game machine such as a pachinko machine, and the like.Examples of electronic devices including the liquid crystal displaydevice described in any of the above embodiments will be described.

FIG. 11A shows an electronic book reader (also referred to as an e-bookreader) which can include housings 9630, a display portion 9631,operation keys 9632, a solar cell 9633, and a charge and dischargecontrol circuit 9634. The e-book reader shown in FIG. 11A has a functionof displaying various kinds of information (e.g., a still image, amoving image, and a text image) on the display portion, a function ofdisplaying a calendar, a date, the time, or the like on the displayportion, a function of operating or editing the information displayed onthe display portion, a function of controlling processing by variouskinds of software (programs), and the like. Note that, in FIG. 11A, thecharge and discharge control circuit 9634 has a battery 9635 and a DCDCconverter (hereinafter, abbreviated as a converter) 9636 as an example.When the semiconductor device shown in any of Embodiments 1 to 8 isapplied to the display portion 9631, a highly reliable e-book reader canbe obtained.

In the case of using a transflective or reflective liquid crystaldisplay device as the display portion 9631 in the structure shown inFIG. 11A, the e-book reader may be used in a comparatively brightenvironment. In that case, power generation by the solar cell 9633 andcharge by the battery 9635 can be effectively performed, which ispreferable. Since the solar cell 9633 can be provided on a space (asurface or a rear surface) of the housing 9630 as appropriate, thebattery 9635 can be efficiently charged, which is preferable. When alithium ion battery is used as the battery 9635, there is an advantageof downsizing or the like.

A configuration and operation of the charge and discharge controlcircuit 9634 shown in FIG. 11A is described with reference to a blockdiagram of FIG. 11B. FIG. 11B shows the solar cell 9633, the battery9635, the converter 9636, a converter 9637, switches SW1 to SW3, and thedisplay portion 9631. The charge and discharge control circuit 9634includes the battery 9635, the converter 9636, the converter 9637, andthe switches SW1 to SW3.

First, explanation is given to an operation example in the case wherethe solar cell 9633 generates power by using external light. The powergenerated by the solar cell 9633 is raised or lowered by the converter9636 to be the voltage which is stored in the battery 9635. When thepower from the solar cell 9633 is used for operation of the displayportion 9631, the switch SW1 is turned on and the power is raised orlowered by the converter 9637 to be the voltage needed for the displayportion 9631. When display is not performed on the display portion 9631,the switch SW1 may be turned off and the switch SW2 may be turned on,whereby the battery 9635 is charged.

Next, an example of operation is described for the case when the solarcell 9633 does not generate power by using external light. The powerstored in the battery 9635 is raised or lowered by the converter 9637when the switch SW3 is turned on. Then, the power from the battery 9635is used for operation of the display portion 9631.

Note that the solar cell 9633 is shown as an example of a charging unithere; however, charging the battery 9635 may be performed by anotherunit. Alternatively, a combination of another charging unit may be used.

FIG. 12A shows a laptop personal computer including a main body 3001, ahousing 3002, a display portion 3003, a keyboard 3004, and the like.When the semiconductor device shown in any of Embodiments 1 to 8 isapplied to the display portion 3003, a highly reliable laptop personalcomputer can be obtained.

FIG. 12B is a portable information terminal (PDA) including a displayportion 3023, an external interface 3025, an operation button 3024, andthe like in a main body 3021. A stylus 3022 is included as an accessoryfor operation. By applying the semiconductor device shown in any ofEmbodiments 1 to 8 to the display portion 3023, a portable informationterminal (PDA) with higher reliability can be obtained.

FIG. 12C is an example of an e-book reader. For example, the e-bookreader 2700 includes two housings, a housing 2701 and a housing 2703.The housing 2701 and the housing 2703 are combined with a hinge 2711 sothat the e-book reader 2700 can be opened and closed with the hinge 2711as an axis. With such a structure, the e-book reader 2700 can operatelike a paper book.

A display portion 2705 and a display portion 2707 are incorporated inthe housing 2701 and the housing 2703 respectively. The display portion2705 and the display portion 2707 may display one image or differentimages. In the structure where different images are displayed ondifferent display portions, for example, the right display portion (thedisplay portion 2705 in FIG. 12C) can display text and the left displayportion (the display portion 2707 in FIG. 12C) can display images. Whenthe semiconductor device shown in any of Embodiments 1 to 8 is appliedto the display portions 2705 and 2707, the e-book reader 2700 with highreliability can be obtained.

FIG. 12C shows an example in which the housing 2701 is provided with anoperation portion and the like. For example, the housing 2701 isprovided with a power switch 2721, operation keys 2723, a speaker 2725,and the like. With the operation keys 2723, pages can be turned. Notethat a keyboard, a pointing device, or the like may also be provided onthe surface of the housing, on which the display portion is provided.Further, an external connection terminal (an earphone terminal, a USBterminal, or the like), a recording medium insertion portion, and thelike may be provided on the back surface or the side surface of thehousing. Moreover, the e-book reader 2700 may have a function of anelectronic dictionary.

The e-book reader 2700 may have a configuration capable of wirelesslytransmitting and receiving data. Through wireless communication, desiredbook data or the like can be purchased and downloaded from an electronicbook server.

FIG. 12D is a mobile phone including two housings, a housing 2800 and ahousing 2801. The housing 2801 includes a display panel 2802, a speaker2803, a microphone 2804, a pointing device 2806, a camera lens 2807, anexternal connection terminal 2808, and the like. The housing 2800includes a solar cell 2810 having a function of charge of the portableinformation terminal, an external memory slot 2811, and the like. Inaddition an antenna is incorporated in the housing 2801. When thesemiconductor device shown in any of Embodiments 1 to 8 is applied tothe display panel 2802, a highly reliable mobile phone can be obtained.

Further, the display panel 2802 is provided with a touch panel. Aplurality of operation keys 2805 which is displayed is indicated bydashed lines in FIG. 12D. Note that a boosting circuit by which voltageoutput from the solar cell 2810 is increased to be sufficiently high foreach circuit is also included.

In the display panel 2802, the display direction can be appropriatelychanged depending on a usage pattern. The mobile phone is provided withthe camera lens 2807 on the same surface as the display panel 2802, andthus it can be used as a video phone. The speaker 2803 and themicrophone 2804 can be used for videophone calls, recording and playingsound, and the like as well as voice calls. Moreover, the housings 2800and 2801 in a state where they are developed as shown in FIG. 12D canshift by sliding so that one is lapped over the other; therefore, thesize of the mobile phone can be reduced, which makes the mobile phonesuitable for being carried.

The external connection terminal 2808 can be connected to an AC adapterand various types of cables such as a USB cable, and charging and datacommunication with a personal computer are possible. Further, a largeamount of data can be stored by inserting a storage medium into theexternal memory slot 2811 and can be moved.

In addition to the above functions, an infrared communication function,a television reception function, or the like may be provided.

FIG. 12E is a digital video camera including a main body 3051, a displayportion A 3057, an eyepiece 3053, an operation switch 3054, a displayportion B 3055, a battery 3056, and the like. When the semiconductordevice shown in any of Embodiments 1 to 8 is applied to the displayportion A 3057 and the display portion B 3055, a highly reliable digitalvideo camera can be obtained.

FIG. 12F shows an example of a television set. In a television set 9600,a display portion 9603 is incorporated in a housing 9601. The displayportion 9603 can display images. Here, the housing 9601 is supported bya stand 9605. When the semiconductor device shown in any of Embodiments1 to 8 is applied to the display portion 9603, the television set 9600with high reliability can be obtained.

The television set 9600 can be operated by an operation switch includedin the housing 9601 or a separate remote controller. The remotecontroller may be provided with a display portion for displaying dataoutput from the remote controller.

Note that the television set 9600 is provided with a receiver, a modem,and the like. With the use of the receiver, general televisionbroadcasting can be received. Moreover, when the display device isconnected to a communication network with or without wires via themodem, one-way (from a sender to a receiver) or two-way (between asender and a receiver or between receivers) information communicationcan be performed.

This embodiment can be implemented in appropriate combination with thestructures described in the other embodiments.

Example 1

In this example, the top-gate transistor shown in FIG. 4B in Embodiment4 was manufactured. At the same time, a test element group (TEG) forevaluating a sheet resistance was manufactured, and the sheet resistanceof an oxide semiconductor layer to which oxygen was introduced wasevaluated. First, a method for manufacturing the transistor and the TEGis described with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B.

As shown in FIG. 13A, a transistor 540 includes a base layer 536, anoxide semiconductor layer 503, a source electrode layer 505 a, a drainelectrode layer 505 b, a gate insulating layer 567, a gate electrodelayer 501, a protective insulating layer 569, a wiring layer 565 a, anda wiring layer 565 b, which are formed over a substrate 500 having aninsulating surface.

A TEG 550 includes the base layer 536, the oxide semiconductor layer503, an electrode layer 505 c formed at the same time as the sourceelectrode layer 505 a and the drain electrode layer 505 b, and the gateinsulating layer 567, which are formed over the substrate 500 having aninsulating surface. Note that the TEG 550 shown in FIG. 13A is across-sectional view corresponding to a dashed line AA1-AA2 shown inFIG. 13B.

FIG. 13B shows a plan view of the TEG 550 shown in FIG. 13A. Over theoxide semiconductor layer 503, the comb-shaped electrode layer 505 c isformed. The sheet resistance of the oxide semiconductor layer 503 can bemeasured by applying a potential to the electrode layer 505 c. A regionwhere the electrode layer 505 c is not formed has a size of L/W=100μm/50000 μm.

Next, the method for manufacturing the transistor 540 and the TEG 550shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B is described.

First, as the base layer 536, a silicon oxide film (having a thicknessof 300 nm) was formed over the substrate 500 by a sputtering method at100° C.

Next, an oxide semiconductor layer having a thickness of 30 nm wasformed over the base layer 536 using an In—Ga—Zn—O-based metal oxidetarget (In₂O₃:Ga₂O₃:ZnO=1:1:1). The oxide semiconductor layer was formedunder the following conditions: the pressure was 0.4 Pa, the directcurrent (DC) power supply was 0.5 kW, the atmosphere was an atmospherecontaining argon and oxygen (argon:oxygen=30 sccm:15 sccm), and thetemperature was 200° C.

The oxide semiconductor layer was etched selectively, thereby formingthe island-shaped oxide semiconductor layer 503. After that, as aconductive film functioning as a source electrode layer and a drainelectrode layer, a tungsten film (having a thickness of 50 nm) wasformed over the oxide semiconductor layer 503 by a sputtering method at200° C. Here, the tungsten film was selectively etched to form thesource electrode layer 505 a, the drain electrode layer 505 b, and theelectrode layer 505 c.

The gate insulating layer 567 was formed over the source electrode layer505 a, the drain electrode layer 505 b, the electrode layer 505 c, theoxide semiconductor layer 503 parts of which are exposed, and the baselayer 536. A silicon oxynitride film (having a thickness of 30 nm) wasformed as the gate insulating layer 567 by a plasma CVD method. Notethat in this example, the protective insulating layer functioning as agate insulating layer shown in FIG. 4B is not formed.

Oxygen was introduced to the oxide semiconductor layer 503 through thegate insulating layer 567 (oxygen introduction). An ion implantationmethod was used for the oxygen introduction. The treatment was performedat an accelerating voltage of 25 keV using ¹⁶O₂ (¹⁶O⁺) as a source gas.Note that the oxygen introduction was performed under three conditions:without oxygen introduction, oxygen introduction at a dose of 4.5×10¹⁴ions/cm², and oxygen introduction at a dose of 4.5×10¹⁵ ions/cm², andthree samples were formed.

After first heat treatment was performed under a nitrogen atmosphere at450° C. for one hour, with use of a sputtering apparatus, a stackedlayer of a tantalum nitride film (having a thickness of 30 nm) and atungsten film (having a thickness of 370 nm) was formed as a gateelectrode layer over the gate insulating layer 567. Then, the stackedlayer was selectively etched, thereby forming the gate electrode layer501.

A silicon oxide film (having a thickness of 300 nm) was formed as theprotective insulating layer 569 by a sputtering method at 200° C. so asto be in contact with the gate electrode layer 501 and the gateinsulating layer 567. Here, the silicon oxide film which is theprotective insulating layer 569 and the gate insulating layer 567 wereselectively etched, so that openings were formed in a contact region.

As a connection wiring, a titanium film (having a thickness of 50 nm),an aluminum film (having a thickness of 100 nm), and a titanium film(having a thickness of 5 nm) were stacked in this order by a sputteringmethod. The above stacked layer was selectively etched, whereby thewiring layer 565 a and the wiring layer 565 b were formed.

Through the above steps, the transistor 540 and the TEG 550 were formed.

By using the TEG 550 shown in FIG. 13, the sheet resistance of the oxidesemiconductor layer 503 was measured. The measurement results of thesheet resistance are shown in FIG. 14.

In the graph of FIG. 14, the vertical axis shows the measurement resultsof the sheet resistance and the horizontal axis shows the respectiveconditions of the oxygen introduction. Note that plots 571, 572, and 573shown in the horizontal axis correspond to the conditions of withoutoxygen introduction, oxygen introduction at a dose of 4.5×10¹⁴ ions/cm²,and oxygen introduction at a dose of 4.5×10¹⁵ ions/cm² respectively.Each plot shows data of 13 TEGs for evaluating a sheet resistance formedover a glass substrate.

From the graph of FIG. 14, in the plot 571 under the condition ofwithout oxygen introduction, the sheet resistance is 1.0×10⁷ Ω/cm² to1.7×10⁸ Ω/cm². In the plot 572 under the condition of oxygenintroduction at a dose of 4.5×10¹⁴ ions/cm², the sheet resistance is1.0×10⁸ Ω/cm² to 1.0×10⁹ Ω/cm². In the plot 573 under the condition ofoxygen introduction at a dose of 4.5×10¹⁵ ions/cm², the sheet resistanceis 1.0×10⁸ Ω/cm² to 1.0×10¹⁰ Ω/cm².

As described above, it can be seen that when oxygen is introduced to theoxide semiconductor layer 503 through the gate insulating layer 567which is an oxide insulating layer, the sheet resistance of the oxidesemiconductor layer 503 is increased. In addition, it was confirmed thatthe sheet resistance of the oxide semiconductor layer 503 could becontrolled by the concentration of introduced oxygen.

The above results show that when an oxide insulating layer (a gateinsulating layer) is formed so as to be in contact with an oxidesemiconductor layer, oxygen is introduced (oxygen introduction) throughthe oxide insulating layer, and heat treatment is performed, oxygenwhich is one of the main component of the oxide semiconductor can besupplied to the oxide semiconductor layer from the oxide insulatinglayer containing oxygen. Thus, the oxide semiconductor layer is morehighly purified to be electrically i-type (intrinsic), and the sheetresistance of the oxide semiconductor layer is increased.

Consequently, a semiconductor device using an oxide semiconductor, whichhas high reliability and stable electric characteristics, can beprovided.

This example can be implemented in combination with any of thestructures described in the other embodiments as appropriate.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application serial no.2010-042024 filed with Japan Patent Office on Feb. 26, 2010, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

1. (canceled)
 2. A semiconductor device comprising: an oxidesemiconductor layer containing indium, gallium, and zinc; a firstelectrode over and electrically connected to the oxide semiconductorlayer; a second electrode over and electrically connected to the oxidesemiconductor layer; and an oxide insulating layer over the oxidesemiconductor layer, the first electrode, and the second electrode, theoxide insulating layer being in contact with a top surface of the oxidesemiconductor layer, wherein sheet resistance of the oxide semiconductorlayer in a region not overlapping with the first electrode and thesecond electrode is more than 1.0×10¹⁰Ω/□.
 3. The semiconductor deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein each of the first electrode and the secondelectrode comprises one of tungsten and tantalum.
 4. The semiconductordevice according to claim 2, wherein the oxide insulating layer is incontact with each of the first electrode and the second electrode.
 5. Asemiconductor device comprising: an oxide semiconductor layer containingindium, gallium, and zinc; a first electrode over and electricallyconnected to the oxide semiconductor layer; a second electrode over andelectrically connected to the oxide semiconductor layer; and an oxideinsulating layer over the oxide semiconductor layer, the firstelectrode, and the second electrode, the oxide insulating layer being incontact with a top surface of the oxide semiconductor layer, whereinoxygen is introduced to the oxide semiconductor layer through the oxideinsulating layer so that sheet resistance of the oxide semiconductorlayer in a region not overlapping with the first electrode and thesecond electrode is more than 1.0×10¹⁰Ω/□.
 6. The semiconductor deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein each of the first electrode and the secondelectrode comprises one of tungsten and tantalum.
 7. The semiconductordevice according to claim 5, wherein the oxide insulating layer is incontact with each of the first electrode and the second electrode.
 8. Asemiconductor device comprising: an oxide semiconductor layer containingindium, gallium, and zinc; a first electrode over and electricallyconnected to the oxide semiconductor layer; a second electrode over andelectrically connected to the oxide semiconductor layer; an oxideinsulating layer over the oxide semiconductor layer, the firstelectrode, and the second electrode, the oxide insulating layer being incontact with a top surface of the oxide semiconductor layer; a gateelectrode over the oxide insulating layer; and an insulating layer overthe gate electrode, wherein oxygen is introduced to the oxidesemiconductor layer through the oxide insulating layer so that sheetresistance of the oxide semiconductor layer in a region not overlappingwith the first electrode and the second electrode is more than1.0×10¹⁰Ω/□.
 9. The semiconductor device according to claim 8, whereineach of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises one oftungsten and tantalum.
 10. The semiconductor device according to claim8, wherein the oxide insulating layer is in contact with each of thefirst electrode and the second electrode.
 11. A semiconductor devicecomprising: an oxide semiconductor layer containing indium, gallium, andzinc; a first electrode over and electrically connected to the oxidesemiconductor layer; a second electrode over and electrically connectedto the oxide semiconductor layer; an oxide insulating layer over theoxide semiconductor layer, the first electrode, and the secondelectrode, the oxide insulating layer being in contact with a topsurface of the oxide semiconductor layer; a pixel electrode over theoxide insulating layer; and a liquid crystal over the pixel electrode,wherein sheet resistance of the oxide semiconductor layer in a regionnot overlapping with the first electrode and the second electrode ismore than 1.0×10¹⁰Ω/□, and wherein a storage capacitor havingcapacitance which is ⅓ or less with respect to a liquid crystalcapacitance of a pixel is provided.
 12. The semiconductor deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein each of the first electrode and thesecond electrode comprises one of tungsten and tantalum.
 13. Thesemiconductor device according to claim 11, wherein the oxide insulatinglayer is in contact with each of the first electrode and the secondelectrode.